Connection device for a pannier

{
  "publication_number": "US9821869B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Connection device for a pannier",
  "abstract": "The present invention relates to a connection device for a pannier for a vehicle and a pannier having such a connection device. The connection device includes a pivotable support member having an attachment arrangement for attaching to the vehicle. The pivotable support member is adapted to be pivoted between an attachment position, in which the attachment arrangement is exposed for attachment to the vehicle, and a concealed position. The present invention provides a connection device having an attachment arrangement. The attachment arrangement can be displaced so as not to interfere with objects, e.g., getting snared or caught.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A pannier, comprising: a pannier wall having an opening; a housing having a rim and a curved wall extending away from the rim, wherein the housing is coupled to the opening; a pivotable support member pivotably coupled to the housing; and an attachment member coupled to the pivotable support member and configured to attach the pannier to a vehicle, wherein the pivotable support member is configured to pivot between an attachment position, in which the attachment member is exposed for attachment to the vehicle, and a concealed position, in which the attachment member is disposed in a void space between the pivotable support member and the curved wall of the housing.",
    "2. The pannier according to claim 1, wherein the rim is coupled to an outer surface of the pannier wall.",
    "3. The pannier according to claim 1, wherein the curved wall is disposed in an interior of the pannier.",
    "4. The pannier according to claim 1, wherein the housing is disposed through the opening.",
    "5. The pannier according to claim 1, wherein the attachment member comprises a first protruding member and a second protruding member defining an insertion slot between the first protruding member and the second protruding member.",
    "6. The pannier according to claim 5, wherein the attachment member is configured to rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to a pivot axis of the pivotable support member.",
    "7. The pannier according to claim 6, further comprising: a second attachment member configured to rotate about a second rotation axis perpendicular to the pivot axis of the pivotable support member; and a wire connecting the attachment member and the second attachment member.",
    "8. The pannier according to claim 7, wherein pulling the wire imparts a rotational movement to the first and second attachment members.",
    "9. The pannier according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a bicycle.",
    "10. A pannier, comprising: an outer surface having an opening to an interior of said pannier defined by said outer surface; and a connection device, comprising: a housing disposed in said opening, said housing comprising: a rim coupled to said outer surface of said pannier, and an interior wall coupled to said rim and defining a confined void, wherein said interior wall extends into said interior of said pannier; and a pivotable support member coupled to said housing and comprising an attachment arrangement for attaching said pannier to a vehicle, wherein said pivotable support member is adapted to pivot between an attachment position, in which said attachment arrangement is exposed for attachment to said vehicle, and a concealed position, in which said attachment arrangement is in a non-operable position, wherein said pivotable support member is pivotally arranged to said housing so as to form a pivotable lid to said confined void, wherein said confined void is between said pivotable support member and said interior wall of said housing, and wherein said attachment arrangement is encompassed within said confined void when said pivotable support member is in said concealed position.",
    "11. The pannier according to claim 10, wherein said attachment arrangement comprises at least one attachment member, said at least one attachment member being adapted to attach to said vehicle by a rotational movement between an unlocked position and a locked position at which said attachment member engages said vehicle in a retaining manner.",
    "12. The pannier according to claim 10, wherein said attachment arrangement comprises first and second attachment members aligned along a first axis, and wherein said first and second attachment members are adapted to attach to an elongated element on said vehicle, said elongated element being aligned with said first axis.",
    "13. The pannier according to claim 12, wherein said pivotable support member is adapted to pivot about said first axis between said attachment position and said concealed position.",
    "14. The pannier according to claim 12, wherein said first and second attachment members are adapted to rotate about a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, respectively, and wherein said first and said second rotation axes intersect with said first axis.",
    "15. The pannier according to claim 12, wherein said first and second attachment members are connected by a wire, said wire being configured to impart a rotational movement to said first and said second attachment member, enabling said first and said second attachment members to be displaced between an unlocked position and a locked position.",
    "16. The pannier according to claim 10, wherein said interior wall is radially curved.",
    "17. The pannier according to claim 10, wherein said rim is disposed on said outer surface of said pannier.",
    "18. The pannier according to claim 10, wherein said pivotable support member comprises a first and a second side, said attachment arrangement being slideably arranged to said first side of said pivotable support member.",
    "19. The pannier according to claim 18, wherein said second side of said pivotable support member is a flat surface.",
    "20. The pannier according to claim 10, wherein said vehicle is a bicycle, snow scooter, motorcycle, jet ski, sailing boat, or motor boat."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a connection device for a pannier, to attach the pannier top a vehicle such as a bicycle. The connection device comprises an attachment arrangement which can be positioned between an operable position and an inoperable position.\n\nPanniers for bicycles, motorbikes or other vehicles are widely used and are attached to the vehicle using an attachment arrangement. When a pannier is removed from the vehicle, the attachment arrangement is usually considered to be more of a nuisance than an asset.\n\nThe European patent No. EP 0,876,951 B1 discloses a device for attaching a bag to a bar. The device comprises two retaining clips which are rotatably mounted about an axis respectively, to enable attachment to the bar. The axes of rotation are arranged a distance from the bar which the bag is intended to be connected to. The retaining clips are relatively space consuming and run the risk being snared, or caught, in clothes or other accessories. There is also a need to improve the attachment mechanism.\n\nIt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pannier which at least reduces one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative. The object is at least partly met by a connection device for a pannier adapted to be attached to an object such as a vehicle or a person, directly or indirectly via e.g. straps or the like. The vehicle could be a bicycle, snow scooter, motorcycle, jet ski, sailing boat, motor boat or the like. The connection device comprises a pivotable support member comprising an attachment arrangement for attaching to the vehicle.",
  "cpc": [
    "B62J 9/27",
    "B60R 9/02",
    "B62J 9/00",
    "B62J 9/001",
    "B62K 2206/00"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60R 9/02",
    "B62J 9/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Thule IP AB"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Timothy Armstrong",
    "Gary Gibson",
    "Patrick David Maguire"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-06-28",
  "publication_date": "2017-11-21",
  "grant_date": "2017-11-21",
  "priority_date": "2012-07-13",
  "application_number": "US-201314414310-A",
  "family_id": "48782296",
  "cited_by_count": 7,
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}