Saddle Bag Motorcycle Pet Carrier

DESCRIPTION:

Many people consider their pets family, and indeed, they are family, and the treatment they receive would bear the case out with the vast majority of owners or “parents” of pets. The attitude towards pets may vary between individuals but people love them, and in many instances, they are surrogate children. The most popular species of animals recruited for pets are the usual domesticated dogs and cats. Arguably they are the most suited animals for such a role. Other animals have filled in for pets, but they do not have the centuries of domestication bred into their genes as dogs and cats do.

Pets have become so much of people’s lives that they want them to be in their company as much as possible. Travel is one of the favorites time a pet’s owner will want to keep their pets with them. Traveling with a pet is not only enjoyable is removes the hassle and insecurity of finding a suitable place to board or someone to “babysit” the animal when owners are away from home. Leaving a pet when traveling away from home creates separation anxiety for not only the owners but for the pet as well. The owners of the animal know where they are going and that they are planning to come back, but the pet does not. The unfortunate creature has no idea what is happening and has no way of knowing if the situation is permanent or just temporary. Separation anxiety and the fact it can be fun and enjoyable are some of the many reasons for traveling with pets. One of the best ways to travel with a pet is road trips.

A road trip by automobile has many advantages for taking the family pet(s). There usually is plenty of room for pet carriers and the same environmental conditions for the animal as for humans. Many hotels and motels will now accommodate pets and will usually state their polies concerning pets on their web sites and advertising.

A prevalent trend for many people is to travel road trips by motorcycle. Road trips by motorcycle are nothing new but it has become more widespread than ever, and the latest models of motorcycles provide an extra measure creature comfort and stability that has been missing in the past. Overnight and more prolonged duration road trips are not unusual, and the sense of adventure on a motorcycle cannot be matched by the automobile. Taking a pet along on a motorcycle ride has always been a situation that many people have tried to solve by various means from employing sidecars to strapping the creature to the machine to onto the rider or other homemade and sometimes dubious solutions.

The Saddle Bag Motorcycle Pet Carrier is a unique and innovative solution for riders wanting to take their pets on a road trip. The Saddle Bag Motorcycle Pet Carrier offers a safe environment for the animal and allows the rider to view the status of the pet while traveling. The product mounts on to the back of the machine similar to a standard saddle bag. Constructed with a sturdy steel frame the Saddle Bag Motorcycle Pet Carrier will protect the animal in the case of an accident or minor spill. Available for either side or in pairs the product matches an existing color scheme and finish of the motorcycle. Specially matched to the Harley-Davidson line of motorcycles the product is attractive and will enhance the “look” of the machines. The forward-facing section of the Saddle Bag Motorcycle Pet Carrier is vented for air circulation, and the vent can be closed or restricted for different riding conditions. The top of the carrier has a clear high-impact polycarbonate dome that is removable so the pet can see outside while traveling. The polycarbonate top will also enable the rider to check the status of the pet without having to stop and open the carrier. Connections for a leash to secure the pet from jumping out when the dome is removed are located inside. Hinges situated on the leading edge of the carrier will prevent any accidental opening of the carrier. The Saddle Bag Motorcycle Pet Carrier utilizes all the standard hardware used by other side carrier and saddle bag manufacturers. The Saddle Bag Motorcycle Pet Carrier will keep the pet safe and secure while traveling on the motorcycle and allow the rider to bring their pet friends along with them on their motorcycle road adventures.

SPECIFIC, UNIQUE FUNCTIONS OF INVENTION:

• Fits standard saddlebag hardware
• Works on either side of motorcycle or as a pair
• Allows visual inspection of pet while traveling
• Animal can see out through dome or with dome removed
• Adjustable vent for environmental control
• Clear high-impact polycarbonate dome for viewing out or in
• Steel frame and high-impact polycarbonate dome assures safety of animal
• Polycarbonate dome is removable to allow pet to stick head out
• Secure leash hookups prevent pet from jumping out when traveling without dome
• Color and trim matching for motorcycle models
• Safety hinges prevent accidental opening during travel
• Easy attachment and removal

PRODUCT COMPONENT CLARIFICATION:

The “Motorcycle Pet Carrier” is an innovative pet transportation product that has been designed to safely and comfortably house a small to medium pet so they can be taken with the rider (and family members) on motorcycle trips. The molded plastic saddle bags are carpeted inside, have a soft foam cushion on the bottom interior surface, have an adjustable air flow through the bag, and a molded skylight on the upper surface for the optimum in protection from the elements and to maximize the comfort of the pet. The saddle bags are supplied in pairs including the mounting brackets, cushioning mounts, and required fasteners.

Currently, if the user wants to take the cat or small to medium dog along on the trip, they must ride in a support automobile, or if there is not one with the group, must ride in a back pack, or a cleverly mounted pet carrier on the motorcycle. The problem with these hybrid solutions is that they take up considerable room on the motorcycle and often do not allow a passenger to accompany the rider, or the pet carrier mounting is cumbersome and may be unsafe for the pet or rider(s).

The “Motorcycle Pet Carrier” resolves most of these problems by providing a molded plastic saddle bag, similar in construction to standard saddle bags, and adjusts the shape to accommodate a small to medium animal comfortably. These saddle bags are mounted on the motorcycle using the supplied mounting frames, cushioning mounts, and required fasteners. The interior of the saddle bag is covered with cushioning carpet and the lower surface is supplied with a pet pillow upon which the animal may comfortably lay down. The back of the saddle bag enclosure has some air vents that are always open to allow air to circulate. The lid also has a set of vents that can be controlled, from wide open to fully closed, to take in road velocity air and funnel it through the saddle bag to keep the pet’s temperature at the optimum level. A fitted lid is hinged at the front and has a lockable latch to insure the pet cannot be stolen or inadvertently released. There is a streamlined, transparent skylight mounted in the top lid that allows the pet to see out and the rider to see in to observe the pet’s condition. The opposite saddle bag can carry an additional pet or can be used for various pet care items and other materials.

• For the pet’s enjoyment: The upper section of the dome can be removed from the sealed-in lip. (See detail in illustration). The dome is held in place with 6 wing screws and PEM® style nuts pressed into the interior side of the lower section. Removal of the upper dome allows the pet to stick their head out of the opening so they can smell and observe the environment more intimately as it passes by. The saddle bag is supplied with a safety harness that prevents the animal from jumping out if the dome is removed.
• As an option: The saddle bags are equal to or are more durable than normal saddle bags so they may be used for common items carried along on the ride, when the pets are not being taken along.

The saddle bags: These saddle bags are blow molded using 3/8” thick ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic. This ABS plastic has exceptionally high impact resistance, is a very tough polymer, and is often used in this application. The lower bag cavity is molded into the desired shape and the rear vent opening are formed in this step as is the pushbutton latch opening. The raised internal edge is also formed in this step. The lid is formed in a similar mold and has the openings for the adjustable vent and the skylight formed as well. The skylight is formed using polycarbonate plastic sheet and high temperature vacuum forming to make the curved shape. After molding, all the plastic components (except the skylight) are roughened using robotic sanding techniques, cleaned with a solvent based deglosser, and then are robotically painted using a gloss black, UV resistant paint. Note: the saddlebag mounting holes are designed to break away in the event of severe crash, keeping the saddle bag intact and protecting the pet.

• Saddle bag assembly: The assembly of the saddle bags is accomplished after painting. The polished stainless-steel trim is adhesively bonded and bolted to the outside of the bag. The foam backed carpet is adhesively bonded to the interior surfaces of the bag. The locking latch and the sliding, adjustable air intake are screwed into place. Then the skylight is bonded into place using silicone adhesive to make a waterproof and theft resistant lid. After fabrication, the right and left bags are boxed for shipment in appropriately marked cardboard cartons.
• At the point of purchase: the buyer selects a right and left saddle bag and a right and left mounting frame (with supplied mounting hardware and fasteners). The installation is simple enough so that the DIY rider can readily accomplish the installation.

The mounting frame: The mounting frames are designed to be a direct fit to the Harley Davidson touring motorcycles. There are up to 185 different models that the saddle bag mounts will fit. The frames are also universal that they can be adapted to fit almost any other touring motorcycle sold in the USA. The production starts using a 5/8” diameter thick wall aluminum tubing that is cut to length. The ends are formed into a cup and TIG welded to seal the tubing. Then the tubing is formed in a computer controlled hydraulic bender. After forming, the stamped brackets are positioned in a jig and robotically TIG welded to make the right or left mounting frame. After welding, the frames are cleaned, powder painted, and thermally cured. This gloss black coating is very durable, is highly resistant to scratching, and corrosion. Each frame is gathered with the mounting hardware and fasteners and is inserted in the carboard shipping carton with the appropriate padding.

The “Motorcycle Pet Carrier” is designed to be aesthetic and effective in the application. The relative ease of manufacture and the reasonably inexpensive components provide good marketability for the manufacturer. The user benefits from easily being able to carry one or more pets and materials along with them on a motorcycle trip, which should provide considerable market interest in the product.

The invention is illustrated in the following drawings of the essential points as explained to us in the documentation.

Drawing 1, Block 1: Motorcycle Pet Carrier – Construction Details, Right Side

(1) The molded plastic saddle bag has lower vents that are always open to allow air to circulate within the saddle bag for the pet.

(2) The molded plastic bag is painted with a standard gloss black paint, which can be re- painted to match or contrast with the motorcycle.

(3) The rear of the saddle bag has a lockable push button latch preventing theft or inadvertent release of the pet. This commercially available latch is supplied with the mounting hardware and 2 keys.

(4) The clear polycarbonate dome sheds water, ice, and snow, while allowing the pet to see out and the rider to see in. The light and being able to see the rider can calm almost any pet used to being placed in a carrier.

(5) The transparent plastic dome can be metalized to reduce the sun gain in warmer climates.

(6) The front surface of the bag has vents that can be infinitely adjusted between open and closed for the pet’s comfort.

(7) The bags are very durable and will protect the pet from typical impacts, just like standard saddle bags.

(8) The painted plastic is easy to keep clean, just like a typical saddle bag and the inside is padded with foam backed carpet to provide comfort for the pet.

Drawing 1, Block 2: Motorcycle Pet Carrier – Saddle Bag Open, Waiting On Pet.

(9) The saddle bag is supplied with a foam cushion for the pet’s comfort, which is removable for machine washing and line drying.

(10) The underside of the lid fits over the raised wall and seals around it to prevent water or wind entry.

(11) The lid is hinged at the front and can be lifted to provide easy access to the interior after the push button latch is depressed.

(12) A curved shape is shown in these illustrations, but the manufacturer may supply any shape that they determine will be the most marketable.

Drawing 1, Block 3: Motorcycle Pet Carrier – Saddle Bag Mount, Left Side

(13) The thick wall aluminum tubing is cut to length and then hydraulically bent to the desired shape.

(14) After bending, the aluminum tabs are welded into place to facilitate the HD motorcycle and saddle bag mounts.

(15) While the frame is optimized to fit on one of the 185 approved HD types, it is universal enough to fit many other brands of motorcycles.

(16) The frame is supplied with back powder painted surface to reduce scratching and corrosion.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the above detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment developed herein, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

This document has been prepared for the manufacturer’s elucidation. The manufacturer’s decision makers should consider this product for licensing (providing intellectual property protection for their sales of the product in return for a royalty payment for a period of years) or an outright purchase of the patent for a negotiated fee. The inventor and his team are standing by to consider offers for
licensing or outright purchase of the patent.