Patent Application
20060290178
The present invention is directed to auxiliary vehicle seat assemblies, and more particularly to detachable auxiliary motorcycle seat assemblies including saddlebags.
Motorcycle riding has become increasingly popular over the last 50 years. One problem encountered with many motorcycles concerns the availability of a single seat, wherein only one person may safely ride the motorcycle at a time. Auxiliary seats for mounting on a rear motorcycle fender have been developed to increase seating capacity. Such auxiliary seats may also be used with bicycles, mopeds, scooters and other vehicles.
Side saddlebags and other containers are frequently used in conjunction motorcycles and other vehicles having limited storage capabilities, to accommodate additional effects. Since most motorcycles are designed to be operated at high speeds, rigid housings or frameworks are generally used which are positively secured to the motorcycle by structures integrally mated with the motorcycle frame. One drawback of such a construction is that a permanent or semi-permanent framework is required to accommodate the containers. Apart from the inconvenience of mounting, the framework also adds a considerable amount of weight to the motorcycle. Further, with the packs removed, the framework is an obtrusive addition to the motorcycle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,345 discloses a seat assembly that is releasably attached to the rear fender of a motorcycle. The seat assembly is attached to the rear fender using suction cups that are embedded in the base of the seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,765 teaches a seat and tank bag assembly that is releasably attached to a motorcycle via suction cups. In particular, the bag is attached to a base member via hinges to allow access to the gas cap.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,960 teaches a saddlebag assembly for removable attachment to a motorcycle fender. The saddlebag assembly is attached to the fender via hook and loop fasteners in combination with hooks that grip the fender.
In view of the above, there exists a need for a detachable seat and saddlebag assembly to be mounted on a vehicle fender, wherein the detachable assembly comprises a seat that is releasably mounted on the fender using suction cups and a pair of saddlebags attached to the seat via straps.
In view of the above, there further exists a need for a modular detachable assembly to be mounted on a vehicle fender, wherein the modular detachable assembly comprising a base portion configured to be releasably mounted on the fender using suction cups, an optional saddlebag assembly releasably attached to the base portion and an optional seat releasably attached to the base portion.
The present invention involves a detachable seat and saddlebag assembly adapted to be mounted on a vehicle fender. The seat and saddlebag assembly preferably is comfortable, removable and light weight. According to a preferred embodiment, the detachable seat and saddlebag assembly is affixed to the vehicle fender using a plurality of suction cups. The assembly advantageously may be installed and removed without causing damage to the fender or requiring modification of the fender to receive the assembly.
One aspect of the present invention involves a detachable assembly to be mounted on a vehicle fender, for example on the rear fender of a motorcycle. The detachable assembly comprises a seat that is detachably mounted on the fender and a pair of saddlebags attached to the seat, wherein the seat comprises a seat pad, a base portion and one or more suction cups mounted to the base portion for releasably attaching the seat to the fender. The base portion is disposed within the seat such that the suction cups extend through apertures within a bottom surface of the seat.
According to a preferred implementation of the invention, the saddlebags are attached to the seat or base portion via straps such that hang down on either side of the fender. The straps preferably are formed from a single piece of material comprising a central portion and a pair of end portions, wherein each end portion is attached to a saddlebag, and the central portion is disposed within the seat between the seat pad and the base portion. The central portion may be fixedly attached to the seat to maintain correct alignment of the saddlebags with the seat. An inside surface of the straps preferably is coated with a non-abrasive, anti-scratch material such as comprises neoprene.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a modular detachable assembly to be mounted on a vehicle fender, the modular detachable assembly comprising a base portion configured to be releasably mounted on the fender, a saddlebag assembly releasably attached to the base portion and a seat releasably attached to the base portion. According to a preferred embodiment, the base portion is releasably attached to the fender using one or more suction cups. Alternatively, the base portion may comprise a magnet for providing releasable attachment of the seat to the fender. The base portion, saddlebag assembly and seat preferably are connected using hook and loop fasteners.
A further aspect of the present invention involves a detachable assembly to be mounted on a vehicle fender, the detachable assembly comprising a base portion configured to be mounted on the fender and a saddlebag assembly releasably attached to the base portion. This embodiment does not require the use of a seat. The base portion may be releasably attached to the fender using one or more suction cups. Alternatively, the base portion may comprise a magnet for providing releasable attachment to the fender. The base portion and saddlebag assembly preferably are connected using hook and loop fasteners.
An additional aspect of the present invention involves a modular detachable assembly to be mounted on a vehicle fender, wherein the modular detachable assembly comprises a base portion configured to be mounted on the fender, a saddlebag assembly releasably attached to the base portion and a storage pack releasably attached to the base portion. The base portion preferably is releasably attached to the fender using one or more suction cups, or alternatively, using a magnet. The base portion, saddlebag assembly and storage packs preferably are interconnected using hook and loop fasteners.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated from review of the following detailed description of the invention, along with the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.
In the following paragraphs, the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the “present invention” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s).
The present invention provides a seat and saddlebag assembly adapted to be mounted on a vehicle fender. The assembly may be installed and removed without causing damage to the fender or requiring modification of the fender to receive the assembly. The seat provides a means for transporting an additional passenger on the vehicle, whereas the saddlebags provide a means for transporting additional cargo. As would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the removable seat and saddlebag assembly of the present invention may be adapted foe use with other two-wheel vehicles such as bicycles, scooters and mopeds, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, seat 16 comprises seat pad 20, base portion 24 and one or more suction cups 26 for attachment to rear fender 12. Seat 16 preferably is constructed of a moldable plastic or molded closed-cell, foam-like, composition for light weight and comfort. Base portion 24 is disposed within the seat such that suction cups 26 extend through apertures 30 within a bottom surface 32 of seat 16. Advantageously, base portion 24 provides structural support for the lightweight material used to manufacture seat pad 20. Base portion 24 further provides a foundation for mounting suction cups 26 thereto. The bottom surface of seat 16 preferably is contoured to substantially approximate the curvature of the rear fender.
With further reference to
The central portion 19c of the single piece of strap material is preferably disposed between seat pad 20 and base portion 24. Central portion 19c may be sewn together with the seat to maintain correct alignment of the saddlebags with respect to the seat. Alternatively, the central portion may be sewn together with the seat. The inside surface of the strap material may be coated with a non-abrasive, anti-scratch layer 36. Similarly, bottom surface 32 of seat 16 may also be coated with a non-abrasive, anti-scratch layer 38. One suitable material for non-abrasive, anti-scratch layers 36, 38 is neoprene.
According to some embodiments of the invention, each saddlebag 18a, 18b is provided with an adjustable strap assembly 27a, 27b, respectfully for securing the saddlebags to the motorcycle frame. Specifically, each adjustable strap assembly may comprise an adjustable loop 29 that is releasably attached to the saddlebag via buckle 31. Adjustable strap assemblies 27a, 27b may be sewn together with the saddlebags 18a, 18b, or alternatively, they may be attached with the saddlebags using an adhesive, releasable buttons, releasable snaps, or other suitable releasable or permanent connectors.
Referring to
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With further reference to
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the modular detachable assembly depicted in
Referring to
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the various embodiments and preferred embodiments, which are presented in this description for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow. It is noted that equivalents for the particular embodiments discussed in this description may practice the invention as well.
