HK1126173B - Luggage carrier for a two wheeled vehicle - Google Patents

Description

Luggage carrier for two-wheeled vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a luggage rack for a two-wheeled vehicle.

Background

Luggage carriers for two-wheeled vehicles are known. Known roof racks are manually locked or unlocked with a key.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved roof rack for a two-wheeled vehicle, or at least to provide a useful choice for public or industrial applications.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, in a first embodiment, the invention comprises a roof rack for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising:

an open top box secured to the vehicle;

a hinged lid adapted to provide a seal for the open top box;

a releasable latch adapted to secure the lid to the luggage case in a closed position;

an alarm system for alerting the luggage rack; and

a remote control mechanism for arming and disarming the alarm system.

Preferably, the luggage rack includes a cover lock to prevent the latch from being released, the cover lock being adapted to be operable by the remote control mechanism.

Preferably, the lid lock and the latch are a unitary mechanism.

Preferably, the luggage rack comprises a frame fixed to the two-wheeled vehicle, the luggage case being mounted to the frame.

Preferably, the luggage case is detachably mounted to the frame.

Preferably, the detachably mountable luggage case is secured to the frame by a lock.

Preferably, the frame lock is operable by the remote control mechanism.

Preferably, the frame lock is integral with the lid lock.

Preferably, the frame lock is integral with the latch.

Preferably, the luggage rack includes a brake light mounted to the cover; and a power transmission mechanism for operating the stop lamp.

Brief description of the drawings

The luggage rack of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a lock assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the frame attachment;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the lock assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the lock assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the lock assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front isometric view of the locking subassembly in a locked position;

FIG. 7 is a rear isometric view of the locking subassembly in the locked position;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the lock assembly of FIG. 1 in an unlocked position;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the locked lock assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front isometric view of the locking subassembly in the unlocked position;

FIG. 11 is a rear isometric view of the locking subassembly in the unlocked position;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the lock assembly illustrating the opening of the cover latch;

13-15 are front views of the locking mechanism illustrating the lock in the neutral, locked and unlocked positions;

FIG. 16 is a cross-section of the frame of the lock of FIG. 2 in a locked position;

FIG. 17 is a cross section of the frame of the lock of FIG. 2 in an unlocked position;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a combination lock assembly;

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the rear of the lock assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a front and rear view of the cam of the lock assembly;

FIG. 21 is a view of the luggage rack of the present invention on a motorcycle; and the combination of (a) and (b),

FIG. 22 is a view of the remote control mechanism of the present invention.

Detailed Description

An exemplary form of the invention is illustrated in fig. 21, which includes a roof rack 210 attached to a two-wheeled vehicle 211. The roof rack 210 is connected to the vehicle 211 by a frame 212, the frame 212 being located generally behind the motorcycle seat 230.

The luggage rack 210 includes a luggage compartment 213 into which a user may place luggage or a helmet. The luggage rack 210 has a lid 214, and the lid 214 has at least one hinge 228 located on a side of the luggage item 213 to enable the lid 214 to be raised and lowered relative to the luggage item 213. Preferably, at least one hinge 228 is located on the rear of the luggage case 213 opposite the lid locking mechanism 220. The lid 214 may be secured to the luggage case 213 on the other side by a lock or locking mechanism 220. The cover 214 may include a light 215 that is preferably located on the cover 214 and is integral with the cover 214.

Referring to these views, a locking mechanism 220 for securing the lid 214 to the luggage case 213 is shown. The locking mechanism 220 (lid lock) includes a button 1 for releasing the lid 214, a two-part lid latch 2 and a spring 3. In operation, the spring 3 is biased to force the two parts of the lid latch 2 apart. To release the latch 2, the button 1 is pressed by the user, which pushes the actuator 19. The actuator 19 has a ramp, when pushed, the actuator 19 is forced into the slot 2b in the lid latch 2, forcing the two lid latches 2 together and the spring 3 being compressed to release the lid.

The locking mechanism 220 is located within the housing 7. The locking mechanism 220 further includes a cam 4 and a pinion 5. The pinion 5 is directly connected to the engine 6, the engine 6 being located inside the locking mechanism housing 7. This cam can only rotate about a quarter of the way because the cam teeth 41 shown in figure 20 only occupy about a quarter of the circumference of the cam 4. The engine controller 8 controls the operation of the engine 6.

The locking mechanism 220 secures the luggage case 213 to the frame 212 in addition to securing the lid 214 to the luggage case 213. Referring specifically to fig. 2, 16 and 17, the plate 12 is bolted or otherwise secured to the frame 212 through holes 12b in the plate. The locking pin 10 is slidable in a channel of the locking mechanism body 7. A slidable latch mechanism 10 is used to secure the luggage case 213 to the plate 12. In particular the hole 10b in the locking pin 10, secures the luggage case to the slot of the projection 10a projecting from the plate 12. The latch 10 is biased to a position to secure the luggage case 213 to the plate 12 by the compression spring 11. A button 9 at one end of the spring-loaded mechanism allows the user to release the luggage case 213 from the board 12. By pressing the button 9, the button 9 presses the lock pin 10 so that the lock pin is released from the protruding portion 10a, and the luggage case 213 can be removed from the vehicle frame 212. A flange (not shown) on the luggage case 213 is secured within the channel 12a of the plate such that the luggage case 213 is secured to the plate 12 in at least two positions by the flange and the latch 10 in use.

The engine controller 8 is controllable by a remotely operated remote device 60 shown in fig. 22. The use of the remote device 60 enables the luggage 213 to be locked and prevents the luggage 213 from being removed from the frame 212 of the vehicle 211.

Fig. 3-7 illustrate the locking mechanism 220 in a locked position. The cover 214 has a locking plate 13 fixed to the main lock mechanism housing 7. The positioning of the cam 4 prevents the operation of the buttons 1 and 9. The cam projections 43, 44 on opposite edges of the cam 4 prevent the push buttons 1, 9 from being pushed when the push buttons are prevented from being depressed by the projections.

The button 9 operates to release the release mechanism of the latch 2 from the latch plate 13 as described above. When the latch is released, the spring 14 will assist in the separation of the cover latch plate 13 from the main housing 7. The cover lock plate 13 is attached to the cover 214 and aligned with the main lock mechanism body 7.

Fig. 8-11 illustrate the locking mechanism 220 in an unlocked position. The cam projection is now located one quarter of the way from the original position and no longer prevents the push buttons 1, 9 from operating. The buttons 1, 9 are operable to release the lid 214 from the luggage case 213 and to release the luggage case 213 from the board 12.

Fig. 12 illustrates the electrical connection mechanisms 15, 16. A male connector portion 16 is located at the top end of the housing 7 and a corresponding female connector portion 15 is located in the cover latch plate 13. When the cover 214 is secured to the luggage case 213, the plug portion 16 and the socket portion 15 interlock to provide an electrical connection.

The electrical connections 15, 16 are typically used for stop lights 215 on the cover 214. In an alternative embodiment, the electrical connections 15, 16 may also be used to provide an audible alarm connection.

Referring to fig. 13-15, a manually key operable lock 17 may override (override) controller 8. A key operable lock 17 includes a lever 18 which controls operation of the cam 4. The cam 4 includes a quarter turn portion 50 in which the locking lever 18 can be turned.

In the intermediate position illustrated in fig. 13, the cam 4 is operable by the controller 8 when the controller 8 and the engine 6 are one-quarter turn required to move the cam to the unlocked position shown in fig. 15. In this position, the key 64 may be inserted into the lock 17 and removed from the lock 17.

In the locked position illustrated in fig. 14, lever 18 prevents controller 8 from rotating cam 4, and cam 4 in turn prevents operation of buttons 1, 9. Whenever controller 8 and motor 6 attempt to move cam 4, lock lever 18 prevents cam 4 from rotating.

In the unlocked position as illustrated in fig. 15, the locking bar 18 moves the cam 4 to a position allowing operation of the buttons 1 and 9, thereby opening the roof rack by hand. In this position, the cover 214 may be opened and the bracket 210 may be removed from the plate 12.

Referring to fig. 16, the cam 4 is shown in the locked position. This prevents the button 9 from operating the latch 10 to release the luggage case from the panel 12. In figure 17 the cam 4 is in a position to enable the button 9 to be depressed by a user to move the latch 10 to release the luggage case 213 from the panel 12.

With particular reference to fig. 18 and 19, the luggage case 210 also includes an alarm system integral with the engine controller 8. The "engine controller" and the "warning system" are used interchangeably for the electronic circuit that controls the engine 6 and provides the warning.

The alarm system 8 is preferably powered by a motorcycle battery, but may also be powered by a rechargeable battery. The alarm system 8 has a speaker 35 to provide an audible alarm output when the alarm 8 is activated. The alarm system 8 includes a plurality of electronic components mounted to a printed circuit board 37. The alarm system 8 includes a sensor to detect vibration, impact or other movement. To fine tune the sensor, a variable resistor 31 is used. The alarm system 8 is operated by a remote controller 60 as illustrated in fig. 22. The printed circuit board 37 also includes a remote reset button 32 to enable the alarm system 8 and remote controller 60 to be reset in the event that the sequence of security codes built into the alarm system 8 and remote controller 60 is out of order.

Remote controller 60 and alarm 8 communicate using radio frequency transmissions in the 30 meter range.

The remote controller 60 has two buttons on one surface of the control unit 60. One of the buttons 62 is used to turn off the alarm 8 and the other button 63 is used to turn on the alarm. When the alarm 8 is turned off using the push button 62, the cam 4 is driven to the unlocked position. When the alarm 8 is turned on using the push button 63, the cam 4 is driven to the lock position. In the preferred embodiment, the remote controller 60 also includes an LED indicator 65, and a retractable key 64 that can be used to unlock the luggage rack.

The alarm controller 8 using the motor 6 can lock and unlock the trunk 213. In the event that a thief attempts to disconnect the power to the alarm 8, the alarm 8 will sound using the rechargeable battery of the alarm system 8.

In a preferred embodiment, the alarm system 8 will automatically lock the roof rack 210 for a short period of time after the roof rack 210 is unlocked. A particularly preferred time period is 3 minutes.

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims (7)

1. A roof rack for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:

an open top box secured to the two-wheeled vehicle;

a hinged lid adapted to provide a seal for the open top box;

a releasable latch adapted to secure the open top box in a closed position;

an alarm system for alerting the luggage rack;

a remote control mechanism for arming the alarm system; and

a frame lock for mounting the open top box to a frame secured to the two-wheeled vehicle,

wherein the frame lock is operable by the remote control mechanism.

2. The roof rack of claim 1, wherein the roof rack includes a cover lock to prevent the latch from being released, the cover lock being operable by the remote control mechanism.

3. The roof rack of claim 2, wherein the cover lock and the latch are a unitary mechanism.

4. A roof rack according to claim 1, wherein the open top box is detachably mounted to the frame.

5. A roof rack according to claim 2, wherein the rack lock is integral with the cover lock.

6. A roof rack according to claim 1, wherein the rack lock and the locking pin are integral.

7. The roof rack of claim 1, further comprising:

a brake light mounted on the hinge cover; and

a power transmission mechanism for operating the brake light.