Patent ID: 12233981

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.FIG.1is a side view showing a rear part of a motorcycle which is a type of vehicle including a pannier according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the present specification, the “left” and “right” sides correspond to the “left” and “right” sides as viewed by a driver on the vehicle, respectively. The “front” and “rear” correspond to the “front” and “rear” in a direction of movement of the vehicle, respectively. Further, with respect to a vehicle widthwise direction, an inner side in the vehicle widthwise direction refers to a side closer to a center line in the vehicle widthwise direction, the center line extending in a front-rear direction or longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an outer side in the vehicle widthwise direction refers to a side away from the center line in the vehicle widthwise direction. Unless otherwise noted, a front-rear direction, a widthwise direction, and a vertical direction of the pannier refer to those directions when the pannier is mounted on the vehicle.

The motorcycle according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle body frame FR including a main frame1that is a front half of the vehicle body frame FR and a rear frame2that is a rear half of the vehicle body frame FR. The main frame1extends rearward and diagonally downward from a head pipe (not illustrated) at a front end and then is curved downward to extend in the vertical direction. The head pipe supports a front fork (not illustrated) which supports a front wheel (not illustrated) at a lower end portion of the front fork, and handle bars (not illustrated) is attached to an upper end portion of the front fork.

A swingarm bracket4is located at a rear end portion of the main frame1. The swingarm bracket4supports a swingarm6in such a way that the swingarm can swing in the vertical direction. The swingarm6includes a rear end portion to which a rear wheel8is attached. The rear frame2extends rearward from a rear part of the main frame1. In the present embodiment, the rear frame2includes a pair of left and right portions. Specifically, as shown inFIG.2, the rear frame2includes left and right rear frame pieces2a,2a.

An engine E, which is a drive source, is mounted below the main frame1and in front of the swingarm bracket4as shown inFIG.1. The engine E drives the rear wheel8through a power transmission member (not illustrated) such as a chain. A fuel tank10is disposed in an upper part of the main frame1, and a seat12on which a driver sits is attached to the rear frame2. In the present embodiment, the seat12is a double seat including a rider seat part for a driver and a tandem seat part for a passenger. Alternatively, the rider seat and the tandem seat may be separate parts.

A pannier14for item storage is attached to a lateral side of the rear part of the vehicle body. As shown inFIG.2, such panniers14are attached to left and right sides of the tandem seat part at a rear part of the seat12. The pannier14has a substantially cuboid shape which is long in the front-rear direction or longitudinal direction of the vehicle body when mounted on the motorcycle. The pannier14is supported by the rear frame2through a pannier stay16. The support structure for the pannier14will be described later. The pannier stay16is removably attached to the rear frame2by a fastener (not illustrated) such as a bolt.

The pannier stay16is, for example, a steep pipe member and includes a front end portion16awhich is fastened to the rear frame2. Specifically, the pannier stay16includes: a first part31extending outward in the vehicle widthwise direction from the front end portion16a; a second part32extending diagonally upward to the rear from an outer end31aof the first part31; and a third part33extending rearward from an upper end32aof the second part32. To an upper portion of the second part32and a rear portion of the third part33, support members34extending inward in the vehicle widthwise direction are connected at their outer end portions in the vehicle widthwise direction, which are one end portions of the support members. The support members34are fastened to the rear frame2at their inner end portions34ain the vehicle widthwise direction, which are the other end portions of the support members.

A carriage plate18is located in the rear of the seat12and is supported by the rear frame2. For example, the carriage plate18may be used for carrying luggage. A top casing20for item storage can be attached to the carriage plate18. The top casing20is disposed between the left and right panniers14,14.

As shown inFIG.1, each pannier14has a flat upper face14awhich is located higher than an upper face12aof the seat12when the pannier is mounted on the vehicle. Thus, a long item B can be placed in the vehicle widthwise direction on upper faces of the left and right panniers14,14.

Each pannier14is shaped as a resin box and includes a casing body22and a lid24or lid member24. Inside the casing body22, a storage space S1is defined for item storage. The casing body22includes, at an upper end thereof, an opening22athrough which an item is placed into or taken out from the storage space S1.

A protection member26is removably attached to an outer lateral face of the casing body22in the vehicle widthwise direction. The protection member26is removably attached to the casing body22by means of a fastener (not illustrated) such as a bolt. The attachment structure of the protection member26is not limited to this type. The protection member26on the outer lateral face of the casing body22can protect a part of the casing body22which is prone to damage. Thus, even when the pannier14gets a scratch, it is only necessary to replace the protection member26, instead of the whole pannier14.

As shown inFIG.3, the casing body22includes legs28for self-support on the bottom face thereof. The legs28protrude downward from the bottom face of the casing body22. In the present embodiment, the legs28are integrated with the casing body22. The legs28are located at three positions, namely, at a front end portion, a rear end portion and an outer end portion in the vehicle widthwise direction on the bottom face of the casing body22. The number and positions of the legs28are not limited to those of the present embodiment. Thanks to the legs28on the bottom face of the casing body22, the pannier14can stand on its own on the ground, so that it is easy to handle.

The casing body22includes a casing-side handle30on a rear face thereof. The handle30is located at an upper part of the rear face of the casing body22and includes an opening30awhich opens downward. In other words, the handle30is arranged at the upper part of the rear face of casing body22and is shaped like a pocket which opens downward. When the pannier14is detached from the vehicle, a user may insert fingers into the opening30aof the handle30to hold the handle30with the fingers and lift up the pannier14, so that the pannier14can be carried.

When the pannier14is supported on the vehicle with a second holding member or movable holder (which will be described later) released so as not to effect holding, the user may hold the handle30with the fingers to lift up the pannier14and detach it from the vehicle. Thus, the handle30may be used when the pannier14is carried and when the pannier14is detached from the vehicle body. In this way, the structure can be simplified in that a same part can serve for both transport and detachment of the pannier14.

As shown inFIG.4, the casing body22includes, on an inner lateral face thereof in the vehicle widthwise direction, a to-be-supported body35to be supported by the vehicle body. In the present embodiment, there are three to-be-supported bodies35, namely, first to third to-be-supported bodies36,37,38.

The first to-be-supported body36is located at a lower position of a front end portion of the inner lateral face of the casing body22. The second and third to-be-supported bodies37,38are located at an upper end portion of the inner lateral face of the casing body22and are arranged in line in the front-rear direction, with the second to-be-supported body37located at a forward position. Thus, the to-be-supported bodies36,37,38are arranged at two separate positions in the front-rear direction and at two separate positions in the vertical direction. The number and positions of the to-be-supported bodies36to38are not limited to those of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the first to third to-be-supported bodies36,37,38are integrally formed with the casing body22by molding. The first to-be-supported body36protrudes inward in the vehicle widthwise direction from the inner lateral face of the casing body22and includes a first recess part36awhich opens forward. The second and third to-be-supported bodies37,38protrude inward in the vehicle widthwise direction from the inner lateral face of the casing body22and include second and third recess parts37a,38a, respectively, which open downward. The second recess part37aand the third recess part38aare located at an interval in the front-rear direction.

The pannier stay16includes a front-rear part extending in the front-rear direction and a bent part extending downward from a front end portion of the front-rear part. The pannier14is brought closer to the pannier stay16from above, and the second recess part37aand the second recess part38aare fitted to a front part and a rear part of the pannier stay16, respectively. Thus, the pannier14is supported by pannier stay16from below. Then, the pannier14is moved forward from the rear of the bent part of the pannier stay16, such that the first recess part36ais fitted to the bent part of the pannier stay16. Thus, the pannier14is restricted by the pannier stay16, so that the pannier14is prevented from moving forward.

The lid24as shown inFIG.1closes an opening22aof the casing body22. Hereinafter, the expression “the lid closes” or the like may sometimes be used to describe a state where the lid24closes the opening22aof the casing body22. Also, the expression “the lid opens” or the like may sometimes be used to describe a state where the lid24opens the opening22aof the casing body22. The lid24includes an opening-closing holder or an opening-closing mechanism which attaches the lid to the casing body22in an openable and closeable manner. The opening-closing holder includes a hinge40and an opening prevention part42. The hinge40is located at a front part of the pannier14. Specifically, the hinge40connects an upper front end portion of the casing body22to a lower front end portion of the lid24and has a hinge axis line extending in the left-right direction or vehicle widthwise direction at the connection part. The hinge40is connected such that a part of the hinge which is located on the side of the lid24can be angularly displaced about the hinge axis line with respect to another part of the hinge which is located on the side of the casing body22. Thus, the lid24is attached to the casing body22through the hinge40so as to be openable and closeable.

The opening prevention part42is located at a rear part of the pannier14. The opening prevention part42includes a casing-side section located on the side of the casing body22and a lid-side section located on the side of the lid24. When the casing-side section and the lid-side section of the opening prevention part42are engaged with each other with the lid24closing the casing body22, this engagement prevents angular displacement of the lid24with respect to the casing body22, so that the casing body22is prevented from opening. When the engagement between the casing-side section and the lid-side section of the opening prevention part42is released, the lid24is allowed to be angularly displaced with respect to the casing body22, so that the casing body22can be opened. Thus, the lid24can be switched between a unopenable-unclosable state and an openable-closable state by the opening prevention part42. The opening prevention part42will be described in detail later.

As shown inFIG.3, the hinge40includes: a first hinge member44which is attached to the casing body22; a second hinge member46which is attached to the lid24; and a hinge shaft45which couples the hinge members44,46in a turnable manner. The hinge shaft45extends in the vehicle widthwise direction. To open the casing body22, the lid24is angularly displaced about the hinge shaft from a state where the lid24closes the casing body22, such that a rear end portion of the lid24is moved forward. Accordingly, the lid24is constructed to be opened from the rear to the front. This can prevent the lid24from opening due to wind during traveling.

As indicated with a double dotted line inFIG.1, an upper face44aof the first hinge member44on the side of the casing body22is inclined upward to the front. When the lid24is opened, a front face of the lid24comes into contact with the upper face44aof the first hinge member44. Thus, the lid24can be held at a predetermined position, so that the lid24can be prevented from opening excessively.

The lid24includes a tab part23(FIG.3) on a rear face thereof. The tab part23is located at a lower part of the rear face of the lid24and includes an opening which opens downward. In other words, the tab part23is arranged at the lower part of the rear face of the lid24and is shaped like a pocket which opens downward. With a first holding member or first movable holder (which will be described later) released so as not to effect holding, a user may insert fingers into the opening of the tab part23to hold the tab part23with the fingers and raise the lid24, so that the lid24can be more easily displaced angularly. In the present embodiment, the tab part23of the lid24is located above the handle30of the casing body22and adjacent to the handle30.

As shown inFIG.5, the lid-side section of the opening prevention part42is located at the rear end portion of the lid24. The casing-side section of the opening prevention part42is located opposite to the lid-side section and at an upper rear end portion of the casing body22. When the lid-side section of the opening prevention part42is held with respect to the casing-side section of the opening prevention part, the lid24is prevented from opening the casing body22.

As shown inFIG.9AtoFIG.9C, in the present embodiment, the lid-side section100of the opening prevention part42includes first holding pieces48, a coupling piece102, a first operating piece50, and a first spring body52. In the present embodiment, there are two such first holding pieces48or first holding elements48arranged in the vehicle widthwise direction. The coupling piece102couples the respective first holding pieces48to the first operating piece50and extends in the vehicle widthwise direction. Therefore, the first holding pieces48, the coupling piece102and the first operating piece50are realized as a single first movable holder104. Accordingly, the first holding pieces48are displaced in conjunction with a displacing operation of the first operating piece50.

The first movable holder104is housed in a first guide space S2defined in the lid24and is guided in a displaceable manner in the vehicle widthwise direction within a predefined allowable range. In other words, the first movable holder104is housed in the first guide space S2of the lid24, so that the first movable holder104is prevented from being displaced in other directions than the vehicle widthwise direction.

When an operator displaces the first operating piece50in the vehicle widthwise direction, the first holding pieces48coupled to the first operating piece50are moved in the vehicle widthwise direction. The first operating piece50is arranged at a position where it is exposed on a rear face of the lid24. In the present embodiment, the first operating piece50is located adjacent to a cylinder69which will be described later, and is exposed at a portion which is located on the side of the vehicle body on the rear face of the lid24and at a side face of the lid24which is located on the side of the vehicle body. The first operating piece50has a hook shape and includes a recess106which can receive a finger approaching from the rear. In an unlocked state as described later, the finger inserted into the recess106of the first operating piece50may apply a force acting inward in the vehicle widthwise direction to a body-side inner surface of the recess106so as to move the first holding pieces48inward in the vehicle widthwise direction in conjunction with the first operating piece50.

The first movable holder104is urged outward in the vehicle widthwise direction by an urging force applied to the lid24by the first spring body52. In the present embodiment, the first spring body52which is realized as a coil spring is arranged in the first guide space S2defined in the lid24and is supported such that opposite end portions of the first spring body52are connected to the lid24and the first movable holder104. The first movable holder104is pressed outward in the vehicle widthwise direction by the first spring body52so as to be positioned at a predefined lid holding position. While the force is applied to displace the operating piece50inward in the vehicle widthwise direction against the first spring body52, the first movable holder104is displaced to a lid releasing position which is located inward in the vehicle widthwise direction with respect to the lid holding position. When the force no longer acts on the first operating piece50, the first movable holder104is returned to the lid holding position by the first spring body52.

Each of the first holding pieces48is a holding hook which protrudes downward from a bottom face of the lid24. Each first holding piece48has an L shape and includes a protruding part48aextending downward from the coupling piece102and a hook part48bextending in the vehicle widthwise direction from a lower end portion of the protruding part48a. The casing-side section108of the opening prevention part42includes a holding wall112in which openings110are defined. Each opening110of the holding wall112has a larger dimension in the vehicle widthwise direction than that of the hook part48b.

When the lid24closes the casing body22(FIG.9A), the protruding parts48aof the first holding pieces48of the first movable holder104extend through the openings110of the holding wall112, and the hook parts48bare located below the holding wall112. When the first movable holder104is located at the lid holding position, the hook parts48bare located so as to face a lower surface of the holding wall112. Thus, even if an attempt is made to move the rear end of the lid24upward with respect to the casing body22, the hook parts48bare caught on the holding wall112to prevent the movement of the lid24, so that the casing body22is prevented from opening.

As described above, in conjunction with an operation of the first operating piece50, the first movable holder104can be moved inward in the vehicle widthwise direction against the urging force of the first spring body52(FIG.9B). In this way, the first movable holder104can be moved from the lid holding position to the lid releasing position. When the first movable holder104is moved to the lid releasing position, the hook parts48bare retracted away from the lower surface of the holding wall112to come into opening areas.

In this state, the hook parts48bare no longer held on the holding wall112. In this state, the hook parts48bcan pass through the openings110of the holding wall112to move upward, without being held on the holding wall112. Accordingly, the first operating piece50can be operated with one hand, and the tab part can be operated with the other hand to move the rear end of the lid24upward with respect to the casing body22. In this way, the lid24is put into the openable-closable state.

With the lid24released from the casing body22and with the lid24opened, once the operator leaves the one hand operating the first operating piece50, the first movable holder104is moved outward in the vehicle widthwise direction due to the urging force of the first spring body52to return to the lid holding position (FIG.9C). In this state, if the rear end portion of the lid24is moved downward in order to close the lid24, the hook parts48bof the first movable holder104hit an upper surface of the holding wall112. In this case, when the hook parts48bcome into contact with the upper surface of the holding wall112, the downward movement of the lid24is prevented, so that the lid24is prevented from closing the casing body22.

In this case, both hands have to be used to close the casing body22, as with the opening operation of the casing body22. Specifically, in conjunction with an operation of the first operating piece50with one hand, the first movable holder104can be moved inward in the vehicle widthwise direction against the urging force of the first spring body52. In this way, the first movable holder104can be moved from the lid holding position to the lid releasing position. When the first movable holder104is moved to the lid releasing position, the hook parts48bare retracted away from the lower surface of the holding wall112to come into the opening areas.

In this state, the hook parts48bare no longer held on the holding wall112. In this state, the hook parts48bcan pass through the openings110of the holding wall112to move downward, without being held on the holding wall112. Accordingly, the first operating piece50can be operated with one hand, and the tab part can be operated with the other hand to move the rear end of the lid24downward with respect to the casing body22.

The casing body22(FIG.1) is removably attached to the vehicle body through an attaching-detaching holder54or attaching-detaching mechanism54. That is, the casing body22can be switched between a unremovable state and a removable state through the attaching-detaching holder54. The attaching-detaching holder54is located at an inner part of the pannier14in the vehicle widthwise direction.

Before describing the attaching-detaching holder54, a support structure of the pannier14will be described. As shown inFIG.4, the second part32of the pannier stay16supports the first to-be-supported body36of the pannier14, and the third part33of the pannier stay16supports the second and third to-be-supported bodies37,38of the pannier14. Specifically, the second part32of the pannier stay16is fitted into the first recess part36aof the first to-be-supported body36of the pannier14from the front, and the third part33of the pannier stay16is fitted into the second and third recess parts37a,38aof the second and third to-be-supported bodies37,38of the pannier14from below.

As shown inFIG.6A, a holder55is fixed to the pannier stay16. The holder55serves as a fixing part for preventing detachment of the pannier14from the pannier stay16. The holder55is fixed to the pannier stay16at a position adjacent to the third part33of the pannier stay16. In the present embodiment, the holder55is located close to a part of the pannier14where the third to-be-supported body38is fitted. Specifically, the holder55is located between the third part33and the connection of one of the support members34to the pannier stay16. In the present embodiment, the holder55is bolted to a fixing part on the pannier stay16. With the pannier14supported on the stay16, the holder55is located so as to face, from the front, a second holding member or second movable holder which will be described later.

As shown inFIG.7, the holder55includes: a pipe insertion part56through which the pannier stay16is inserted; a supporting part58which projects downward from the pipe insertion part56; and a holding part60which projects upward from the pipe insertion part56. The pipe insertion part56includes an insertion hole56athrough which the pannier stay16is inserted. The holding part60also includes a holding hole60awhich opens rearward. The later-described second holding piece66of the attaching-detaching holder54can be inserted into the holding hole60a.

The holder55serves to prevent attachment and detachment of the pannier14when the second holding piece66is inserted into the holder55. The holding part of the holder55is located above the pannier stay16. In other words, with the pannier14supported thereon, the holding part of the holder55is located above a support plane which is defined in the casing body22. The casing body22includes a fitting recess which receives the above-described holder55attached to the pannier stay16. The fitting recess is a recess which opens downward. The supporting part58includes a bolt insertion hole58afacing the front-rear direction (i.e., the direction of extension of the third part33). As shown inFIG.6A, on the other hand, an attaching piece62which protrudes downward is located on the third part33of the pannier stay16, and the attaching piece62includes a bolt insertion hole62afacing the front-rear direction. With the third part33of the pannier stay16inserted through the pipe insertion part56, a fastener64such as a bolt is sequentially inserted, from a rear side of the vehicle body, into the bolt insertion hole62aof the attaching piece62and the bolt insertion hole58aof the supporting part58and is fastened with a nut65. Thus, the holder55is fixed at a predetermined position on the pannier stay16.

The attaching-detaching holder54is located at the inner part of the casing body22in the vehicle widthwise direction as described above. Specifically, the attaching-detaching holder54is located at an area between the storage space S1and an exterior member of the vehicle such as the rear frame2in a plan view ofFIG.2. Each of the casing body22and the lid24includes a defining wall which defines the storage space S1and a brim part which protrudes inward in the vehicle widthwise direction with respect to the defining wall. The attaching-detaching holder54is located in these brim parts. As shown inFIG.6AandFIG.6B, the attaching-detaching holder54includes the second holding piece66or a second holding member or second movable holder66, a second operating member68, and a second spring body70(FIG.5).

The second operating member68is a rectangular slider which is partially exposed on an upper face of the lid24. The second operating member68can be freely moved in the front-rear direction when an operator pinches and slides the second operating member. Specifically, the second operating member68is supported by the lid-side brim part120(FIG.4) which protrudes inward in the vehicle widthwise direction with respect to the defining wall which defines the storage space S1in the lid24.

The second operating member68is housed in a second guide space S3defined in the lid-side brim part120and is guided in a displaceable manner in the front-rear direction within a predefined allowable range. In other words, the second operating member68is housed in the second guide space S3of the lid24, so that the second operating member is prevented from being displaced in other directions than the front-rear direction. The second operating member68includes an operating piece68awhich is exposed above the lid-side brim part120, and a protruding piece68bwhich is connected to the operating piece68aand protrudes downward from the lid-side brim part120.

The second movable holder66is located below the second operating member68. Specifically, the second movable holder66is supported by the body-side brim part63(FIG.1) which protrudes inward in the vehicle widthwise direction with respect to the defining wall which defines the storage space S1in the casing body22. The second movable holder66is housed in a third guide space S4defined in the body-side brim part63and is guided in a displaceable manner in the front-rear direction within a predefined allowable range. In other words, the second movable holder66is housed in the third guide space S4of the casing body22, so that the second movable holder is prevented from being displaced in other directions than the front-rear direction. When the casing body22is attached to the pannier stay16, the third guide space S4is located adjacent to the holder55. That is, the fitting recess (not illustrated) which receives the holder55is located in the casing-side brim part63of the casing body22.

The casing-side brim part63includes a communication hole (not illustrated) which communicates the third guide space S4with the fitting recess in the front-rear direction. The casing body22includes a wall facing the holder55from the rear when the holder55is fitted into the fitting recess. Thus, when the holder55is fitted into the fitting recess, the casing body22is prevented from moving forward with respect to the pannier stay16.

The second movable holder66includes a groove part67which is exposed above the body-side brim part63. The groove part67includes an engagement groove66awhich can be engaged with the protruding piece68bof the second operating member68. Specifically, the groove part67includes a front side surface which faces the engagement groove66aon the front side and a rear side surface which faces the engagement groove66aon the rear side. The dimension between the front side surface and the rear side surface in the front-rear direction is slightly larger than the dimension of the protruding piece68bin the front-rear direction. At least one of the front side surface and the rear side surface includes, at an upper part thereof, an inclined surface which is inclined away from the engagement groove66ain the front-rear direction as it extends upward.

When the lid24is closed (FIG.6A), the protruding piece68bof the second operating member68is located at a position where the protruding piece68bis engaged with the engagement groove66aof the second movable holder66. The engaged second movable holder66moves in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the second operating member68. The second movable holder66and the second operating member68may be integrated with each other. Alternatively, the second operating member68may include a groove on a lower face thereof, and the second movable holder66may include an engagement protrusion on an upper face thereof.

The second movable holder66includes a front end portion which is connected to the groove part and extends frontward from the groove part and a rear end portion which extends rearward from the groove part. The front end portion of the second movable holder66penetrates through the communication hole so as to be able to move into and out of the fitting recess. When the pannier14is attached to the pannier stay16, the front end portion of the second movable holder66is fitted into the holding hole60aof the holder55. The holder55faces at least the front end portion of the second movable holder66from above. Thus, the casing body22is held by the holder55, so that the casing body22is prevented from moving upward with respect to the pannier stay16.

At least one of the second operating member68and the second movable holder66receives a frontward urging force given by the second spring body70. In the present embodiment, the second operating member68receives a frontward urging force given by the second spring body70. Specifically, the second spring body70which is realized as a coil spring is arranged in the storage space defined in the lid-side brim part120and is supported such that one end portion of the second spring body70is connected to the lid24, and the other end portion of the second spring body70is connected to the second operating member68. The second operating member68is pressed frontward by the second spring body70.

As described above, when the lid24is closed, the second operating member68is kept in a held state with the second movable holder66. Thus, as with the second operating member68, the second movable holder66is also pressed forward. Accordingly, when no force acting against a spring force of the second spring body70is applied to the second operating member68, the front end portion of the second movable holder68is held in conjunction with the holder55and the pannier stay16, and the casing body22is maintained in the unremovable state with respect to the vehicle body. Specifically, the holding piece66prevents the casing body22from moving upward with respect to the pannier stay16. In addition, the holder55prevents the casing body22from moving rearward with respect to the pannier stay16. Further, the holder55and the pannier stay16prevent the casing body22from moving in the vehicle widthwise direction and downward with respect to the pannier stay16.

When the lid24is closed, if an operator slides the second operating member68rearward (FIG.6B), the second movable holder66is moved rearward with respect to the casing body22in conjunction with the second operating member68. Thus, the front end portion of the second movable holder68is withdrawn from the holding hole60aof the holder55to dissociate the second movable holder68and the holder55. In this state, since the front end portion of the second movable holder68is withdrawn rearward from the holding hole60aof the holder55, the holder55can avoid interfering the upward movement of the casing body22. Thus, the casing body22can be moved upward with respect to the pannier stay16. When the casing body22is moved upward with respect to the pannier stay16and the holder55is no longer fitted in the fitting recess, the casing body22can be detached from the pannier stay16.

The opening-closing holder (opening prevention part)42and the attaching-detaching holder54inFIG.5can be locked. That is, the opening-closing holder42can be locked in a closed state (i.e., an unopenable-unclosable state), and the attaching-detaching holder54can be locked at a held position (i.e., an unremovable state). The pannier14includes the cylinder69which serves to lock both of the attaching-detaching holder54and the opening-closing holder42. This means that the single cylinder69can be used to lock and unlock the pannier14for attachment to and detachment from the vehicle body as well as the lid24of the pannier14for opening and closing. In the present embodiment, the cylinder69can be angularly displaced between a lock position and an unlock position; at the lock position, the unopenable-unclosable state and the unremovable state are attained, whereas at the unlock position, the openable-closable state and the removable state are attained.

In the present embodiment, the cylinder69is a key cylinder which can be locked and unlocked by inserting and turning a key. The cylinder69has an axis AX extending in the vertical direction and includes an exposed upper face. The cylinder69partially overlaps with the pannier stay16when viewed in the axial direction (i.e. the vertical direction). The cylinder69includes, on the upper face thereof, a keyhole69ainto which a key is inserted as shown inFIG.4. The cylinder69is turnably supported by the lid24. That is, the cylinder69is relatively movable in conjunction with the lid24with respect to the casing body22. The part of the cylinder69other than the keyhole69ais covered by a cover76which is a part of the lid24and covers a peripheral surface of the part other than the keyhole69afrom an upper side, a rear side and an inner side in the vehicle widthwise direction. In the present embodiment, the cylinder69has an internal structure such that when the key is inserted in the keyhole69a, the key cannot be removed unless the cylinder69is at the lock position.

When the pannier14is attached to the pannier stay16, the cylinder69is disposed in an area between the vehicle body frame FR and the storage space S1in a planar view. Specifically, the lid-side brim part which is located at an inner portion of the rear part of the lid24in the vehicle widthwise direction includes a cylinder housing part71, and this cylinder housing part71houses the cylinder69. The above-described first movable holder and second movable holder (FIG.6A) are also housed in a space defined within the lid24. In the present embodiment, the cylinder69is arranged adjacent to the third to-be-supported body38of the casing body22.

The cylinder69is arranged adjacent to an inner end portion of the first movable holder104in the vehicle widthwise direction and to the rear end portion of the second movable holder68. The cylinder69includes locking pieces72,74which are arranged so as to prevent movement of the first movable holder104and the second movable holder68located adjacent to the respective locking pieces72,74, when the cylinder69is moved to the lock position. When the cylinder69is moved to the unlock position, the locking pieces72,74are moved to retracted positions with respect to the respective movable holders104,68. Thus, the locking pieces72,74are released so as not to prevent the movement, so that the respective movable holders104,68are allowed to move.

As shown inFIG.5, the first locking piece72and the second locking piece74are located on an outer periphery of the cylinder69. The first locking piece72when at the lock position prevents the first operating member50from moving inward in the vehicle widthwise direction. In the present embodiment, the first locking piece72is held in a recess (not illustrated) in the first operating member (first operating piece)50to prevent the first operating piece50from moving in the vehicle widthwise direction.

Specifically, the lock mechanism includes a cam member114which operates in conjunction with the cylinder69as shown inFIG.10AandFIG.10B. The cylinder69includes a protrusion116which serves as the first locking piece72at a radially outer part of the cylinder69with respect to the center of rotation. The cam member114includes an elongated hole114awhich receives the protrusion116on the cylinder69. The cam member114is housed in the lid24, so that the movement direction of the cam member114is directed to the front-rear direction.

The cam member114is connected to the protrusion116of the cylinder69, so that the cam member114is moved in the front-rear direction in association with the angular displacement of the protrusion116. When the cylinder69is moved to the lock position (FIG.10B), the cam member114is pushed rearward by the protrusion116to hold the first movable holder104located at the lid holding position. Specifically, a tip end portion of the cam member114is fitted into a groove (recess)106in the first movable holder104so as to prevent the first movable holder104from moving in the vehicle widthwise direction. Thus, at the lock position, even if an attempt is made to move the first operating piece50in the vehicle widthwise direction, the first locking piece72prevents the first operating piece50from moving in the vehicle widthwise direction, so that a third party who does not have the key cannot open the lid24.

When the cylinder69is moved to the unlock position with the key (FIG.10A), the cam member114is pushed back frontward in association with the angular displacement of the protrusion116so as to dissociate the first movable holder104and the cam member114. In this state, an operator can apply a force to the first operating piece50against the urging force by the first spring body52to move the first movable holder104inward in the vehicle widthwise direction.

The second locking piece74when at the lock position prevents the second movable holder66from moving in the front-rear direction (FIG.10B). Specifically, the second locking piece74is located at a lower end portion of the cylinder69. When the lid24is closed, the second locking piece74is located at a same height as a rear end face of the second movable holder66. In addition, the second locking piece74protrudes radially outward with respect to the rest part of the cylinder.

When the cylinder69is moved to the lock position, the second locking piece74faces the rear end face of the second movable holder66from the rear to prevent the second movable holder66from moving rearward. This makes it possible to prevent the movement of the second movable holder66from the casing fixing position and thus to prevent attachment and detachment of the pannier14. Since the second operating member68and the second movable holder66are held to each other when the lid24is closed, at the lock position, even if an attempt is made to move the second operating member68rearward, the second locking piece74prevents the second holding piece66from moving rearward, so that a third party who does not have the key cannot detach the pannier14from the vehicle body.

When the cylinder69is moved to the unlock position with the key (FIG.10A), the second locking piece74is angularly displaced so as not to face the second movable holder66. In other words, a gap is generated between the second movable holder66and the cylinder69, so that the second movable holder66can be moved rearward. In this state, an operator can apply a force to the second operating member66against the urging force by the second spring body70to move the second movable holder66rearward.

Thus, when the cylinder69is turned from the lock position to the unlock position, the first locking piece72which serves as the cam member is disengaged from the first movable holder50, so that the first operating member50can be moved in the vehicle widthwise direction when the lid24is in the closed state. Therefore, at the pannier opening position, the first operating member50is moved outward in the vehicle widthwise direction (to a position indicated with a double dotted line) to move the first holding pieces48in the vehicle widthwise direction. Thus, the lid24can be opened.

When the cylinder69is turned from the lock position to the unlock position, the second locking piece74is disengaged from the second movable holder66, so that the second movable holder66can be moved rearward when the pannier14is in the unremovable state. Therefore, at the pannier detaching position, the second operating member68is moved rearward to move the second movable holder66rearward. Thus, the pannier14can be removed from the vehicle body.

In the present embodiment, the pannier detaching position and the pannier opening position of the cylinder69are located at a same position in a turning direction. Alternatively, these positions may be different. For example, the pannier opening position may be located at a position angularly displaced from the lock position by a predetermined angle, and the attaching-detaching position may be located at a position where the cylinder69is angularly displaced from the pannier opening position. Further, in the present embodiment, the axial direction of the cylinder69corresponds to the vertical direction of the vehicle. However, the axial direction is not limited to the vertical direction and may correspond to, for example, the vehicle widthwise direction or the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

As described above, at the lock position, the second movable holder66and the first holding pieces48are fixed at positions where the casing body22cannot be removed from the vehicle body, and the lid24cannot be opened with respect to the casing body22. At the pannier detaching position, the second movable holder66can be moved to a position where the casing body22can be removed from the vehicle body. Further, at the pannier opening position, the first holding pieces48can be moved to a position where the lid24can be opened with respect to the casing body22.

When the cylinder69is at the lock position, the first holding pieces48come into contact with the holding wall112on the casing side, so that the lid24is prevented from closing. This allows an operator to determine that the lid24is not closed with the cylinder69at the lock position. In this way, a user is encouraged to perform a lock operation when the lid24is closed. This makes it possible to prevent the lid24from opening unintentionally and to prevent the pannier14from detaching unintentionally from the vehicle body.

The pannier14according to the present embodiment includes indicators (warning indicators)75A,75B which indicates when the second movable holder66is not at the lock position. The indicator75A is located on an upper face of the second operating member68(FIG.8B), and the indicator75B is located in a movement area for the second operating member68on an upper face of the lid24(FIG.8C). Specifically, the indicator75A is located at a rear half of the upper face of the second operating member68, and the indicator75B is located at a rear part of the movement area for the second operating member68on the upper face of the lid24. In the present embodiment, the indicators75A,75B are red marks on the upper face of the second operating member68and the upper face of the lid24. However, the indicator75A,75B are not limited to red marks.

When the second operating member68is moved in the front-rear direction, the rear half of the second operating member68is moved into and out of the cover76. That is, as indicated by a double dotted line300inFIG.6A, when the second movable holder66is not at the lock position, the second holding piece66is moved frontward by the urging force of the second spring body70, and the indicator75A on the upper face of the second operating member68is exposed so as to be visible as shown inFIG.8B. As indicated by a double dotted line200inFIG.6A, when the second holding piece66is caught by the holder55and thus cannot be held in the holding hole60a, the second holding piece66is moved rearward, and the indicator75B on the upper face of the cylinder housing part71is exposed so as to be visible as shown inFIG.8C.

As indicated with a solid line inFIG.6A, on the other hand, when the second movable holder66is at the lock position, the second movable holder66is held and retained in the holding hole60aof the holder55, so that the indicators75A,75B are not exposed as shown inFIG.8A. This makes it easy to visually know that the pannier14is attached to the vehicle body. Alternatively, it is possible to provide either the indicator75A on the upper face of the second operating member68or the indicator75B on the upper face of the lid24only. Further, the indicators75A,75B may be omitted.

The effects of the pannier14according to the present embodiment will be described. To remove the pannier14shown inFIG.2from the vehicle body or to open the lid24of the pannier14, the key is inserted into the keyhole69aof the cylinder69and is turned in a rotation direction R1. In the present case, the key(s) is(are) turned in the same rotation direction R1in both the left and right panniers14. Since the cylinders69are located at the rear end portions of the panniers14, key operations would be performed from the rear of the vehicle body. This configuration provides good handleability because the key operations can be performed in the same direction for both the left and right panniers14. However, the left and right pannier14may have different turning directions for the key(s).

When the cylinder69is turned in the rotation direction R1, the cylinder69is moved from the lock position to the pannier detaching position and the pannier opening position. Thus allows the pannier14to be removed from the vehicle body and allows the lid24to be opened. At the pannier opening position, the first operating member50can be moved inward in the vehicle widthwise direction. Since the first operating member50is located on a rear face of the pannier14and the lid24is opened from the rear to the front, it is easy to open and close the lid24from the rear of the vehicle body. This provides good handleability starting from a key operation to an opening/closing operation of the lid24.

At the pannier detaching position, the second operating member68can be moved rearward. Since the second operating member68is located at the rear part of the pannier14and the handle30is located at the rear face of the pannier14, it is easy to perform a detaching operation of the pannier14from the rear. Thus, in the present embodiment, it is easy to perform all of a key operation, an opening/closing operation of the lid24, and a detaching operation of the pannier14from the rear, so that good handleability is achieved.

Where the top casing20is disposed, a lid of the top casing20may also be constructed to be opened from the rear to the front, so that all of the panniers14and the top casing20can be operated from the rear, which further enhances handleability.

According to the above constitution, it is possible to lock and unlock the pannier14for attachment to and detachment from the vehicle body as well as the lid24for opening and closing through a turning operation of each cylinder69as shown inFIG.2. Therefore, as compared with a case where the pannier14includes separate lock structures for these operations, the pannier14includes a reduced number of components and have improved handleability.

Further, thanks to the indicators75A,75B which indicate when the cylinder69is not at the lock position as shown inFIG.8BandFIG.8C, it is possible to visually know the lock state of the attaching-detaching holder54. Thus, it is possible to prevent a driver from driving the vehicle with the attaching-detaching holder unlocked.

When the lid24is open with respect to the casing body22and the cylinder69is at the lock position, the opening prevention part42is in contact with the cylinder69to prevent the lid24from closing. Thus, if the lid24cannot be closed, a user would be more likely to notice that the cylinder69is at the lock position with the lid24open, so that the user is encouraged to perform a lock operation with the lid24closed.

The cylinder69and the holder55as shown inFIG.6Aare disposed adjacent to the third to-be-supported body38. Thus, there is a smaller distance between the second movable holder66and the third to-be-supported body38, which can prevent increase in the size of the holding piece66.

The second movable holder66and the cylinder69are disposed in an area between the rear frame2and the storage space S1as shown in a plan view ofFIG.2. Thus, the second movable holder66and the cylinder69are disposed on the inner side in the vehicle widthwise direction with respect to the casing body22, so that it is possible to prevent damage to the second movable holder66and the cylinder69when the vehicle body is overturned.

As shown inFIG.6A, the second movable holder66and the cylinder69are located within the cylinder housing part71in the lid24. In such a case where the second movable holder66and the cylinder69are located in the lid24, it is easier to arrange them at peripherally exposed positions in the pannier14than in a case where they are located in the casing body22. This provides easier access to the cylinder69and provides good handleability.

Further, there is the second operating member68which moves the second movable holder66. Therefore, a driver can use the second operating member68to move the second movable holder66, which enhances handleability when the pannier14is attached to and detached from the vehicle body.

Since the lid24as shown inFIG.2is constructed to be opened from the rear to the front when mounted on the vehicle body, the lid24is unlikely to open during driving. Further, since the handle30is located on the rear face of the casing body22, it is easy to perform an opening/closing operation of the lid24and a detaching operation of the pannier14from the rear of the vehicle body, so that good handleability is achieved. This also makes it possible to restrain an opening/closing operation of the lid24by a driver while driving.

The cylinder69as shown inFIG.6Ahas the axis AX extending in the vertical direction and includes the exposed upper face. The cylinder69partially overlaps with the pannier stay16when viewed in the axial direction. Thus, the cylinder69is arranged above the pannier stay16, so that it is possible to prevent reduction of the storage space S1due to the cylinder69and suppress increase in the dimension in the vehicle widthwise direction.

Since the handle30is located at a position adjacent to the cylinder69and the second operating member68, an unlock operation of the pannier14and a transport operation of the pannier14using the handle30can be more easily performed, so that convenience is improved. The handle30can be used to transport the pannier14and to move the pannier14when the pannier14is attached to or detached from the pannier stay16, so that the structure can be simplified as compared with a case where the pannier14includes separate handles30for these operations.

Since the tab part is arranged at a position adjacent to the cylinder69and the first operating piece50, an unlock operation of the lid24and an opening/closing operation of the lid24using the tab part can be more easily performed. Further, since the handle30of the casing body22and the tab part of the lid24are vertically arranged, a transport operation of the pannier14and an opening/closing operation of the lid24can be more easily performed.

The respective operating pieces50,68and the cylinder69are arranged on the inner side in the vehicle widthwise direction in the pannier14. Thus, even if the vehicle comes close to or into contact with an obstacle, the operating pieces50,68can be prevented from coming into contact with the obstacle, so that the operating pieces50,68are more likely to be protected against damage.

Since the cylinder69is constructed such that the key cannot be inserted or removed unless the cylinder69is at the lock position, the cylinder69is prevented from being kept at the unlock position when the key is removed. Thus, when the key is removed from the cylinder69, the cylinder69is necessarily put into the lock state, so that antitheft performance is improved. Since the holder55and the cylinder69are arranged at adjacent positions, the second movable holder66can be prevented from having an increased size.

Since the lid-side brim part is arranged above the pannier stay16in an overlapping manner, it is possible to prevent increase in the size of the pannier14in the vehicle widthwise direction, as compared with a case where the pannier stay16, the cylinder69and the like are arranged next to one another in the vehicle widthwise direction.

Since the first operating piece50, the second operating piece68and the cylinder69are located in the lid, they can be arranged at higher positions than those in a case where they are located in the casing body, so that an operator can more easily perform an operation. Since the cylinder69is located in the lid, it is possible to hinder a lock/unlock operation while the lid is open.

Since the various mechanisms are arranged outside the storage space S1, there is less unevenness inside the storage space S1, so that an item can be smoothly taken out from the storage space. Since the first movable holder104and the second movable holder66are arranged outside the storage space S1and in a space walled off from the storage space S1, it is possible to avoid contact between an item(s) and the respective movable holders104,66to prevent the item(s) from interfering the movement of the movable holders104,66.

In the present disclosure, the movable holder may further include a warning indicator which indicates when the movable holder is at the attachable-detachable position. According to this constitution, it is possible to visually know the state of the movable holder. Thus, a user can visually see the warning indicator to know that the pannier is not secured in an unremovable manner. By allowing the user to know such a warning, it is possible to prevent the user from driving the vehicle when the movable holder is at the attachable-detachable position, and thus to prevent detachment of the pannier while driving.

In the present disclosure, the pannier may include a preventer which is in contact with the cylinder to prevent the lid from closing when the lid is open with respect to the casing body and the cylinder is at the lock position. According to this constitution, if the lid cannot be closed, a user would be more likely to notice that the cylinder is at the lock position with the lid open, so that the user is encouraged to perform a lock operation with the lid closed.

In the present disclosure, the casing body may include a to-be-supported body to be supported on the vehicle body, and the cylinder may be arranged adjacent to the to-be-supported body. According to this constitution, there is a smaller distance between the cylinder and the to-be-supported body, which can prevent increase in the size of the movable holder interposed between the cylinder and the to-be-supported body.

In the present disclosure, the cylinder may be arranged in an area closer to the vehicle than the storage space for the item is to the vehicle when the pannier is attached to the vehicle. According to this constitution, the cylinder is located on the inner side in the vehicle widthwise direction with respect to the lid, so that it is possible to prevent the cylinder from being damaged when the vehicle body is overturned.

In this case, the cylinder may be disposed within a cylinder housing part in the lid. According to this constitution, since the cylinder is disposed in the lid, the cylinder can be arranged at a more accessible position for a user than that in a case where the cylinder is disposed in the casing body, so that handleability is improved.

In the present disclosure, the pannier may include an operation piece which is operable by an operator to move the holding piece. According to this constitution, an operator can move the holding piece with the operation piece to undo the lock. This necessitates an operation by an operator in order to undo the lock, so that it is possible to prevent unintentional unlocking.

In the present disclosure, the lid may be constructed to open from the rear to the front when the pannier is attached to the vehicle, and the casing body may include a handle on a rear face of the casing body. According to this constitution, since the lid is constructed to open from the rear to the front, the lid is unlikely to open during driving. Further, an opening/closing operation of the lid and a detaching operation of the pannier can be performed from the rear of the vehicle, which provides good handleability.

A vehicle according to the present disclosure includes: the pannier according to the present disclosure; a vehicle frame; and a pannier stay which supports the casing body on the vehicle frame, wherein the cylinder has an axis extending in a vertical direction and includes an upper face exposed from the lid, and the cylinder partially overlaps with the pannier stay when viewed in a direction of the axis. According to this constitution, since the cylinder is located above the stay, it is possible to prevent reduction of the storage space due to the cylinder and suppress increase in the dimension in the vehicle widthwise direction of the vehicle as a whole including the pannier.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, various additions, modifications, or deletions may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The first movable holder104and the second movable holder66may be a single member. For example, the first movable holder104may be located on an inner side of the pannier14in the vehicle widthwise direction and be integrated with the second operating member68. The pannier may have a structure in which a single operating piece is used to perform an operation to attain the attachable-detachable state and the openable-closable state. Thus, the number of components can further be reduced.

In addition to indicating a warning when the cylinder is not at the lock position, the indicator75may indicate when the cylinder is at the lock position. The keyhole69amay be located away from the cylinder69. In such a case, there should be a first cylinder which includes the keyhole69aas well as a turning force transmission mechanism (such as a cable) which transmits a turning force from the first cylinder to a second cylinder for the lock of the holding piece. The cylinder69may be arranged at a front end of the pannier14and on the inner side in the vehicle widthwise direction. In this case, the first movable holder104and the second movable holder66should also be located on the front side of the pannier14.

If the first movable holder is located opposite from the hinge40, the lid24can be more easily prevented from opening. Where the second operating member68is located in the lid, and the second movable holder66is located in the casing, it is possible to achieve both handleability and strength when the pannier is mounted. Further, if the entire first movable holder except for the operation part is received in the lid24, it is possible to prevent an item or an obstacle from interfering with the movement of the movable holder.

The pannier14is expected to be mounted at an outwardly exposed position on the vehicle. Thus, a user can access the pannier from a position around the vehicle to take out an item within the pannier14and detach the pannier14from the vehicle to transport the whole pannier14including the item(s). The vehicle according to the above embodiment is a mere example, and the present disclosure may be applied to any vehicle other than a motorcycle. For example, the vehicle may be a saddle-riding vehicle such as a motorcycle and a three-wheeler, a convertible without a body which covers a vehicle inner space, or a service vehicle.

The pannier14according to the above embodiment is described with reference to a case where the pannier is disposed on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle. The present disclosure also includes a case where the pannier is disposed on only one side of the vehicle. The present disclosure further includes a case where the pannier is disposed at a position other than the left and right sides, such as at an upper position of the vehicle.