US-12623743-B2 - Motorcycle luggage system

US12623743B2US 12623743 B2US12623743 B2US 12623743B2US-12623743-B2

Abstract

A motorcycle luggage system includes first and second mounts attached to a motorcycle. A luggage supporting bracket includes first and second docks for removable attachment to the first and second mounts. The first and second docks are selectively adjustably spaced from one another so as to correspond to the spacing of the first and second mounts on the motorcycle, so as to be able to be used with a wide variety of motorcycles.

Inventors

Lance COURY

Assignees

Thrashin Supply Co.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20240409

Claims (20)

1 . A motorcycle luggage system, comprising: a luggage supporting bracket; a first dock and a second dock attached to the luggage supporting bracket, wherein the first and second docks are selectively adjustably spaced from one another; and a first mount and a second mount attached to a motorcycle to extend therefrom in spaced relation to one another, wherein the first dock is coupled to the first mount and the second dock is coupled to the second mount to attach the luggage supporting bracket to the motorcycle, and wherein the first and second mounts each include an engagement portion having a beveled configuration.
2 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 1 , wherein the luggage supporting bracket comprises an attachment portion and a supporting portion extending from the attachment portion for supporting luggage thereon.
3 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second docks are slidably associated with one another on the luggage supporting bracket.
4 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 3 , wherein the luggage supporting bracket includes an elongated slot to which the second dock is selectively slidably connected.
5 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 4 , wherein the second dock is connected to the slot along a length thereof to selectively adjust a distance between the first and second docks corresponding to a distance between the first and second mounts.
6 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second dock includes a locking pin for locking the first or second dock to the first or second mount.
7 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 6 , wherein the locking pin is movable into an open position and biased towards a closed locking position.
8 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 7 , including a lever operably attached to the locking pin for manually moving the locking pin from the locking position to the open position.
9 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second docks each include a mount receiving portion, the mount receiving portion having a beveled configuration corresponding to the beveled engagement portion of the respective first and second mounts such that the beveled receiving portions of the first and second docks interface with the beveled engagement portions of the respective first and second mounts to securely couple the first and second docks to the first and second mounts.
10 . A motorcycle luggage system, comprising: a luggage supporting bracket comprising an attachment portion and a supporting portion extending from the attachment portion for supporting luggage thereon; a first dock and a second dock attached to the attachment portion of the luggage supporting bracket wherein the first and second docks are selectively adjustably spaced from one another; and a first mount and a second mount attached to a motorcycle to extend therefrom in spaced relation to one another, wherein: the first dock is coupled to the first mount and the second dock is coupled to the second mount to attach the luggage supporting bracket to the motorcycle; one of the first and second docks includes a locking pin for locking the first or second dock to the respective first or second mount; and the first and second mounts each include an engagement portion having a beveled configuration and the first and second docks each include a mount receiving portion having a beveled configuration corresponding to the beveled engagement portion of the respective first and second mounts such that the beveled receiving portions of the first and second docks interface with the beveled engagement portions of the respective first and second mounts to securely couple the first and second docks to the first and second mounts.
11 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 10 , wherein the first and second docks are slidably associated with one another on the luggage supporting bracket.
12 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 10 , wherein the luggage supporting bracket includes an elongated slot to which the second dock is selectively slidably connected.
13 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 12 , wherein the second dock is connected to the slot along a length thereof to selectively adjust a distance between the first and second docks corresponding to a distance between the first and second mounts.
14 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 10 , wherein the locking pin is movable into an open position and biased towards a closed locking position.
15 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 14 , including a lever operably attached to the locking pin for manually moving the locking pin from the locking position to the open position.
16 . A motorcycle luggage system, comprising: a luggage supporting bracket comprising an attachment portion and a supporting portion extending from the attachment portion for supporting luggage thereon; a first dock and a second dock attached to the luggage supporting bracket wherein the first and second docks are selectively adjustably spaced from one another; and a first mount and a second mount attached to a motorcycle to extend therefrom in spaced relation to one another, wherein: the first and second docks are slidably associated with one another on the attachment portion of the luggage supporting bracket; the attachment portion of the luggage supporting bracket includes an elongated slot to which the second dock is selectively slidably connected; the second dock is connected to the slot along a length thereof to selectively adjust a distance between the first and second docks corresponding to a distance between the first and second mounts; and the first dock is coupled to the first mount and the second dock is coupled to the second mount to attach the luggage supporting bracket to the motorcycle; wherein the first and second docks each include a mount receiving portion, the mount receiving portion having a beveled configuration corresponding to a beveled engagement portion of the respective first and second mounts such that the beveled configurations of the first and second docks interface with the beveled engagement portions of the respective first and second mounts to securely couple the first and second docks to the first and second mounts.
17 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first and second dock includes a locking pin for locking the first or second dock to the first or second mount.
18 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 17 , wherein the locking pin is movable into an open position and biased towards a closed locking position.
19 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 18 , including a lever operably attached to the locking pin for manually moving the locking pin from the locking position to the open position.
20 . The motorcycle luggage system of claim 16 , wherein the first and second mounts each include an engagement portion having a beveled configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally is concerned with motorcycle luggage bags and mounts. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a luggage system which is convenient to attach to a wide variety of motorcycles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In old times, the term “saddle bags” was used for the luggage bag mounted on the back of the horse. Such included two bags connected to a strap in between so that they could be easily hung on both sides of the horse. The same idea from horse riding was put into practice by motorcyclists. Initially, the same throw-over saddle or luggage bags were installed on motorcycles to provide adequate storage space for riders to carry items. Such throw-over motorcycle saddle bags interconnected with a strap were easy to mount on a motorcycle and did not require one to spend money for the installation or require specialized assistance to mount the saddle bags on the motorcycle. However, such throw-over saddle bags also had disadvantages. Due to not being firmly mounted, the throw-over saddle bags could move a lot during the ride, causing distraction to the rider. They could also be unsafe as they could incline more towards the rear wheel of the motorcycle and cause an obstruction and the spinning of the wheel. Moreover, the main strap connecting the saddle bags could make the riding experience uncomfortable for passengers, especially on long-distance rides. Furthermore, such throw-over saddle bags did not provide a clean look to the motorcycle. Eventually, hard-mounted luggage bags and cases generally replaced throw-over saddle bags to overcome their limitations. Such hard-mounted luggage cases use solid and rigid mounting options, such as nuts and bolts to keep the bags and cases fixed in place. The cases are often made of hard materials, including fiberglass, metal, or ABS plastic. Hard-mounted motorcycle cases had advantages over the throw-over soft mounted saddle bags, including being firmly installed on a motorcycle to restrict any sort of movement and vibrations during the ride. There is little to no chance that the hard-mounted cases will come off or fly away during the ride due to being firmly mounted. Moreover, hard-mounted luggage cases are also a safer option compared to throw-over or soft saddle bags as they are rigid and there is no chance of them coming closer to the rear wheel. However, there are disadvantages of hard-mounted motorcycle luggage cases. This includes requiring special tools to mount them on the motorcycle's rear end. If one does not have the required tools and skills, that person must hire a professional to install the hard-mounted cases onto the motorcycle, which can be expensive. It can take a few minutes to an hour to install, or uninstall, these cases securely on the motorcycle. Another disadvantage of hard-mounted motorcycle cases is that they are typically custom built for a particular motorcycle or a particular size of motorcycle. Thus, the hard-mounted motorcycle case is attachable only to a single type of motorcycle or a very limited number of motorcycles. If an individual purchases a new motorcycle, or has more than one motorcycle, that individual will usually have to purchase a new or different hard-mounted motorcycle cases for that particular motorcycle. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a motorcycle luggage system, in the form of a hard-mounted motorcycle bag or case, which is relatively easily installed on a motorcycle without the need for specialized tools or an excessive amount of time. What is also needed is such a motorcycle luggage system which is capable of being attached universally to all motorcycles, or a very large number of different types of motorcycles. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention resides in a motorcycle luggage system. The system generally comprises a luggage supporting bracket. The luggage supporting bracket comprises an attachment portion and a supporting portion extending from the attachment portion for supporting luggage thereon. A first dock and a second dock are attached to the luggage supporting brackets, and more particularly the attachment portion of the luggage supporting bracket. The first and second docks are selectively adjustably spaced from one another. A first mount and a second mount are attached to a motorcycle to extend therefrom in spaced relation to one another. The first dock is coupled to the first mount and the second dock is coupled to the second mount to attach the luggage supporting bracket to the motorcycle. Preferably, the first and second docks are manually detachably connected to the first and second mounts. The first and second docks may be slidably associated with one another on the luggage supporting brackets. The luggage supporting brackets may include an elongated slot through which either the first or second dock is selectively slidably connected. T