The present invention relates generally to devices and fasteners used to secure one or more items to another item. It also generally relates to motorcycles, including trike motorcycles (collectively, “motorcycles”), and to accessories for motorcycles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bobbin-shaped structure (or, simply, a “bobbin”) that can be mounted to certain surfaces of another structure, including a motorcycle, for the purpose of attaching or guiding an elasticized cord with a wire hook at each end (also called a “bungee cord”) to or around the bobbin. The present invention also relates specifically to an anchoring assembly that uses a plurality of such bobbins and to a method of using the anchoring assembly and bobbins to secure lightweight loads to a motorcycle where the bobbins are selectively positioned within existing cycle structures by replacing existing fasteners or are positioned by adding new bobbin anchoring points to a surface.
There are a number of devices and structures known in the art that can be used for tying down or anchoring bungee cords. Some of these structures are tie down rings, loops, bars or fingers, among others. In the recreational sport of motorcycling, it is also known that most motorcycles have a limited capacity for stowing articles for transport. Accordingly, it is often necessary to secure supplemental carrying articles or loads to motorcycles to increase the transport capacity of the motorcycle. In the experience of this inventor, motorcycles also have a somewhat limited number of points that can suitably serve as anchor points for straps and tie-downs for these types of supplemental carrying structures.
In the case of the typical bungee cord, for example, the edge of fender may be used as an anchor point for one wire hook end of the bungee cord. But such is done at the risk of the fender being scratched by the wire hook end which is typically made of metal wire for strength. Worse yet, the end of the bungee cord will be pulled to the point of least resistance along the arc of the fender which may not be the most useful, or the strongest, anchor point for the supplemental carrying structure, article or load. In other instances, the bungee cord may be of a length where some of its slack needs to be taken up in order to adequately anchor the extra baggage. In those instances, there may not be, and there typically is not, a suitable structure around which the bungee cord may be safely and securely looped particularly where several passes of the cord over the article, or multiple cords, are required to secure that extra baggage load.
In the view of this inventor, there is a clear need to provide a bobbin-type structure (or, simply, a “bobbin”) that can be mounted into certain surfaces of a motorcycle for the purpose of attaching or guiding a strap with anchoring means, such as a “bungee cord,” to and around the bobbin as is desired or required. There is also a need to provide an anchoring assembly that would use a plurality of such bobbins and to provide a method of using the anchoring assembly and bobbins for the purpose of securing lightweight loads to a motorcycle. In this last regard, such bobbins can be mounted in certain locations where existing mounting or fastening means can be removed and replaced by the bobbin and its mounting structure. But there is also a need to provide such bobbins in other locations within the structure of the motorcycle to maximize the motorcycle's capacity to carry supplemental articles or loads using bungee cords but where no pre-existing fastener is present.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bobbin that can be mounted to the surface of a motorcycle for the purpose of attaching or guiding a strap with anchoring means to or around the bobbin. It is another object to provide an anchoring assembly that uses a plurality of such bobbins. It is yet another object to provide a method of using the anchoring assembly and bobbins to secure lightweight loads to a s motorcycle where the bobbins are selectively positioned within existing cycle structures by replacing existing fasteners or are positioned by adding new bobbin anchoring points to the motorcycle.
The present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for a bobbin that be attached to almost any part of a motorcycle, including tour pack lids, fenders, fender mounts, license plate brackets, saddlebag mounts, among other areas. The present invention requires the removal of one fastener and using a slightly longer fastener where placement is made at the point of the pre-existing fastener. Where the placement is made at a is point where no pre-existing fastener exists, a bobbin and fastener can be placed there by simply drilling a hole and fastening the bobbin at that point. The present invention further provides an assembly that comprises a plurality of such bobbins, the bobbins being strategically located for securing particular types of items. It also provides the method for locating, fastening and using the assembly of bobbins.
The foregoing and other features of the device, system and method of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elements refer to like elements throughout,
Now referring specifically to
As shown in
Continuing to refer to
As shown, the fastener 20 further comprises a threaded end 24. It is to be understood that a shaft (not shown) extends between the round head 22 and the threaded end 24 of the fastener 20. The fastener 20 extends through a round aperture (not shown) within the structure or surface 1. The outer face 2 is adjacent the outer face 11 of the flange 12, with a gasket 31 interposed between those two structures. The bottom surface of the round head 22 is adjacent the outer face 13 of the flange 14. Below the planar structure 1, a gasket 32 is adjacent the inner face 3 with a washer 33 interposed between that gasket 32 and a threaded nut 34, the threads of the nut 34 meshing with the threads of the threaded end 24 of the fastener 20. It is also to be noted that, when fastened to the structure or surface 1, the bobbin 10 does not rotate.
As previously alluded to, the bobbin 10 can be attached to a surface 1 using an existing fastener (not shown) and existing structure (also not shown) of the motorcycle. For example, the point at which a fastener is used to anchor a portion of a fender might be one such existing structure. However, the bobbin 10 of the present invention can also be attached at other points as may be required or desired by the user.
An assembly, generally identified 50, comprising a plurality of bobbins 10 can be attached to the surfaces 42 of a motorcycle 40, as shown in
In application, the user determines the locations 44 along the surface 42 of the motorcycle 40, or other object, that would be desirable for use of the bobbins 10 to support or secure a load item (or, simply, “item”) to the motorcycle 40. This forms the assembly 50 as previously discussed. The assembly 50 forms a bobbin configuration. If a location 44 is one that has a fastener already in use, that fastener can be removed and replaced with the bobbin 10 and fastener 20 as previously described. If a location 44 is one that does not have a fastener already in use, an aperture can be drilled into the surface 42 at that location 44 and a bobbin 10 can be placed at that location 44.
With all bobbins 10 placed within the configuration, the item to be held down is situated and the necessary bungee cords 60 are applied to the item and to the bobbins 10, thereby securing the item to the motorcycle 40.
It is also within the scope of the present invention to have the head portion 22 of the fastener 20 match the outer surfaces of the bobbin 10 or bobbins 10 such that the bobbin 10 and fastener appear as a single solid structure for aesthetics. Further, such surfaces could be finished by anodizing, chrome plating, painting or such other surface finishing method, all of which are within the scope of the present invention.