Related Application

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 /538,070, filed September 22, 201 1 .

Copyright Notice

[0002] © 2012 Aria Enterprises, Inc. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

37 CFR § 1 .71 (d).

Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to bicycles and, more particularly, to bicycle panniers and pannier attachment systems.

Background Information

[0004] There are many styles of bicycle panniers (or simply, panniers) designed to accommodate a variety of uses. Touring panniers are usually bulky and designed to contain a sufficient quantity of provisions and equipment to accommodate extended tours lasting days or weeks. Commuter bicyclists may prefer smaller pannier options designed to hold laptop computers, files and folders, clothing, lunches, or groceries.

[0005] Panniers are usually built to attach to a front or rear rack that is fitted to a bicycle. Conventional removable panniers hook onto a top edge of the rack and are often held in place by latching clamps, elastic straps, or combinations of both. These external attachment mechanisms are exposed to the elements and degrade over time, increasing the likelihood that an attached pannier will break loose. A pannier that does break away while the bicycle is being ridden may become tangled in the wheels or chain, potentially causing a crash and serious injury to the bicyclist.

[0006] Panniers are typically constructed of nylon or other synthetic fabric, and some panniers are built to be water-repellent or waterproof. Other panniers may include built-in rain covers or rain covers offered as accessories.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0007] A pannier is constructed with an attachment mechanism configured for restricting, to operation by an authorized user, detachment of the pannier from a support, typically a bicycle. The pannier comprises an expandable container having a bottom exterior panel, opposite front and rear exterior panels having top side margins, and opposite first and second side exterior panels. The front and rear exterior panels and the first and second side exterior panels include fold lines. The fold lines are placed to allow the container to be set in an expanded state by spreading the front and rear exterior panels apart from each other and spreading the first and second side exterior panels apart from each other. The fold lines are placed also to configure the container in the expanded state to an open condition and a closed condition. The open condition is one in which is formed an open container having an interior and having the top side margins spread apart from each other to provide an open top through which items can be placed in the open container for carriage. The closed condition is one in which is formed a closed container having the top side margins brought together to provide a closed top in which there is no access from outside to the interior of the closed container.

[0008] An attachment mechanism is mounted to the rear exterior panel. The attachment mechanism includes a container coupling member cooperating with a user-actuatable release mechanism that is confined within the interior of the container. The container coupling member is configured for releasable attachment to an external coupling member. The user-actuatable release mechanism is accessible when the container is in the open condition to allow a user to uncouple the container coupling member and the external coupling member. The user- actuatable release mechanism is inaccessible when the container is in the closed condition to allow the user to restrict access to the interior of the closed container and thereby prohibit unauthorized uncoupling of the pannier from the support.

[0009] The bottom exterior panel and the front exterior panel of the pannier are connected by a first foldable exterior edge, and the bottom exterior panel and the rear exterior panel are connected by a second foldable exterior edge. The fold lines of the front and rear exterior panels include, respectively, first and second fold lines that are parallel to each other and extend in the direction of the top side margins. The first and second fold lines are positioned medially of the top side margins and the first and second foldable exterior edges to allow the container in the closed condition to be set in a collapsed state by folding the bottom exterior panel along the second foldable exterior edge to a position adjacent the rear exterior panel. Folding the front and rear exterior panels along the respective first and second fold lines forms a flap-over panel in which the front exterior panel lies adjacent the bottom exterior panel.

[0010] The external coupling member includes first and second external coupling devices. The container coupling member includes first and second retractable linkage mechanisms that are matable to and positioned for spatial alignment with the respective first and second external coupling devices. The pannier further comprises a user-graspable release cord that is attached to the user-actuatable release mechanism. The user-graspable release cord has first and second ends that are operatively connected to the respective first and second retractable linkage mechanisms. This configuration enables the user to grasp the release cord and to retract and thereby uncouple the first and second retractable linkage mechanisms from the respective first and second external coupling devices for removal of the pannier from the support.

[0011] Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figs. 1 , 2, 3, and 4 are right-side perspective views showing an urban utility bicycle having an integrated rear pannier rack with fixed mounting pegs for attaching a pannier that is shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 in respective folded, latched while unfolded ("closed"), and unlatched while unfolded ("opened") conditions.

[0013] Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an unattached and opened pannier of Figs. 2, 3, and 4 having an internal release cord, an external lock- attachment aperture on the latch for an external lock, rigid panels sewn into the pannier, and carrying handles for carrying the pannier while shopping or performing other tasks. [0014] Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged, fragmentary right-side perspective views of the bicycle of Fig. 1 , illustrating a rear-side attachment system including the pannier rack, pegs, and respective external and internal mounting components of unattached pannier of Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 shown in folded and opened conditions while positioned to receive the pegs shown in Fig. 1 .

[0015] Figs. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are respective top plan, front, left-side elevation, and rear views of the attachment system including a fragment of the pannier rack showing the pegs of Fig. 1 , and including the internal mounting components of Fig. 7 that include a rigid plate positioned between pannier fabric layers to support a release-mechanism housing bracket and two quick-release ball joint linkages housed in corresponding pocket recesses of the housing bracket.

[0016] Figs. 9A and 9B are respective rear and front isometric views of the attachment system of Figs. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D.

[0017] Figs. 10A and 10B are respective enlarged rear and front pictorial isometric views of the quick-release ball joint linkages positioned to receive the pegs shown in Fig. 1 .

[0018] Fig. 1 1 A and 1 1 B are, respectively, perspective and side-elevation views of the quick-release ball joint linkages of Figs. 10A and 10B, showing the peg in free and engaged conditions.

[0019] Fig. 12 is an attachment system adapter bracket, according to one embodiment.

[0020] Figs. 13A and 13B show an accessory rear pannier rack in, respectively, a position separate from and a position of attachment to a conventional road bicycle having a diamond frame.

[0021] Figs. 14 and 15 are enlarged, fragmentary right-side perspective views of the road bicycle of Figs. 13A and 13B, illustrating a rear-side attachment system for attaching to the accessory rear frame rack an alternative pannier in, respectively, a collapsed state and an expanded state.

[0022] Figs. 16 and 17 are right-side perspective views of the road bicycle carrying the accessory rear pannier rack of Figs.13A and 13B, illustrating the alternative pannier of Figs. 14 and 15 that is attached to the accessory rear pannier rack and in the closed condition of, respectively, the collapsed and expanded states. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0023] Fig. 1 shows an urban utility bicycle 10 having a low step-through frame 12 providing a lower standover height 14 for easier mounting and dismounting of a saddle 15. (For purposes of clarity, the front and rear wheel quick-release skewers, tires, and spokes; brake and gear shifting mechanisms; and pedal and crank components are omitted from the drawing figures.) Low step-through frame 12 includes the following elements that are also common to conventional diamond frames: a head tube 16 from which a down tube 18 depends, an upright seat tube 20, two chain stays 22, and a bottom bracket 24 that forms a junction for down tube 18, seat tube 20, and chain stays 22. However, low step-though frame 12 replaces conventional seat stays, seat cluster, and top monotube of the conventional diamond frame with a wraparound split top tube 26 that connects head tube 16, seat tube 20, a rear wishbone arch 28, and a rear fender 30. Although top tube 26 is preferably formed as a single continuous tube, for purposes of description, top tube 26 can be considered as having two elongated U-shaped split-tube segments 36 and 38 connected at two places to form a bend 40.

[0024] First split-tube segment 36 wraps around and is attached to head tube 16 at a location proximal to a headset 42, and extends downwardly on both sides of bicycle 10 toward rear forkends 44 to establish lower standover height 14 at bend 40. Second split-tube segment 38 wraps around a tail end 46 of rear fender 30 at a location proximal to a rear fender gusset 48. When bicycle 10 is ridden normally, second split-tube segment 38 extends parallel to a roadway 50 on both sides of bicycle 10. Second split-tube segment 38 passes between and provides support for arms 52 of rear wishbone arch 28, extends by and connects to a left side surface 54 and a right side surface 56 of seat tube 20, and eventually joins first split-tube segment 36 to form bend 40. Second split-tube segment 38 also includes a front crossbar seat tube support 58 and a rear crossbar seat tube support 60, positioned and fixed to, respectively, front and back portions of seat tube 20, thereby optionally replacing conventional seat stays (not shown).

[0025] Fig. 1 shows, toward the rear of bicycle 10, an integrated rear pannier rack 62 formed by first and second spaced-apart elongated U-shaped members 64 and 66. First elongated U-shaped member 64 includes a rear portion of second split- tube segment 38 that wraps around tail end 46, as described above, with arms 68 that connect to rear wishbone arch 28. Arms 68 include spaced-apart, fixed external coupling devices or mounting pegs 70 for attaching a pannier 72 (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7), as described below. Skilled persons will recognize that similar mounting pegs 70 may be included on the opposite peripheral side of top tube 26 for attaching a second, similar pannier (not shown). Furthermore, right-side and left-side component parts are generally the same and interchangeable. Therefore, these similar parts are occasionally referred plurally or singularly.

[0026] Second elongated U-shaped member 66 also wraps around tail end 46 of rear fender 30, but at a lower height than that of member 64 and thus closer to roadway 50. Consequently, arms 74 of second elongated U-shaped member 66 extend slightly farther rearward to accommodate a rear wheel 76, and connect to rear wishbone arch 28 closer to rear fork ends 44. To impart additional rigidity, a pair of truss members 80 attached to rear wishbone arch 28 support arms 74. Truss members 80 each extend from fork ends 44 to corresponding bottom sides 82 of arms 74. Rear fender gusset 48 also stiffens integrated rear pannier rack 62 by connecting distal U-shaped ends 84 and 86 of respective first and second elongated U-shaped members 64 and 66. A posterior surface 88 of rear fender gusset 48 may be used to anchor a reflector bracket (not shown).

[0027] Fig. 1 shows, at the front of bicycle 10, handlebars 90 retained in a stem 92, which connects handlebars 90 to a steering column (not shown) of a fork assembly 94. Handlebars 90 are adjustable in a cylindrical groove 96 formed in a neck 98 of stem 92. When handlebars 90 are properly adjusted, they are anchored in place with a top plate 100 that is placed over handlebars 90 and screwed down on neck 98 to prevent handlebars 90 from inadvertently loosening. Neck 98 also includes an integrated head light 102 for illuminating roadway 50. Fork assembly 94 includes front wheel forks 108 that are joined together and connected to the steering column by a fork bracket 1 10. A front fender 1 12 that covers a front wheel 1 14 may be suspended by welds or connections to inside surfaces 1 16 of front wheel forks 108, connected to fork bracket 1 10, or suspended with radial fender struts (not shown) that extend from front fork ends 1 18 to peripheral edges 120 of front fender 1 12.

[0028] Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are right-side perspective views showing bicycle 10 and integrated rear pannier rack 62 with pannier 72 attached to mounting pegs 70 (Fig. 1 ) and arranged in the following configurations: folded in a closed condition of a collapsed state (Fig. 2); latched while unfolded, i.e., in a closed condition of an expanded state (Fig. 3); and unlatched while unfolded, i.e., in an open condition of the expanded state (Fig. 4). As described below, Figs. 2, 3, and 4 also show an attachment height 122 established by a rear-side attachment system 124 (see e.g., Figs. 6 and 7), which includes mounting pegs 70 along top tube 26, external mounting components 126 (Fig. 6), and internal mounting components 128 (Fig. 7) of pannier 72. Attachment height 122 provides a relatively low center of gravity, which is comparatively lower than attachment heights or centers of gravity afforded by conventional attachment systems. Moreover, pannier 72 is attached to rack 62 with sufficient clearance to avoid contact between pannier 72 and roadway 50, particularly when pannier 72 is in a folded condition (Fig. 2).

[0029] Fig. 2 shows attached and folded pannier 72, which resembles a flap-over briefcase; however, a flap-over panel 130 of pannier 72 is formed from portions of both a front exterior panel 132 and a rear exterior panel 134, which are constructed of pliable and waterproof materials. Front exterior panel 132 has a top side margin 132t, and a rear exterior panel 134 has a top side margin 134t. To fold pannier 72 to its collapsed state, top portions of a front interior panel 136 and a rear interior panel 138 (Figs. 4 and 5) and perforce top side margins 132t and 134t are brought together and aligned to form a top edge 146, as shown in Fig. 3. Flap-over panel 130 is then formed by pulling upwardly and inwardly a first foldable exterior edge 148 that forms a junction between a bottom exterior panel 150 and front exterior panel 132, while concurrently drawing inward and collapsing front exterior panel 132 onto itself. Top edge 146 is brought downward along fold line 151 f of front exterior panel 132 and fold line 151 r of rear exterior panel 134 to form an outer flap-over portion 152, and opposite side exterior panels 153 composed preferably of semi-stiff panel sections 154 are collapsed inward along fold lines 155 while bottom exterior panel 150 is positioned to confront an inner flap-over portion 156. Fold line 151 f is positioned medially of top side margin 132t and foldable exterior edge 148, and fold line 151 r is positioned medially of top side margin 132r and foldable exterior edge 158. Fold lines 155 coincide with adjacent boundary lines of panel sections 154. In the collapsed state, top edge 146 of flap-over panel 130 may be optionally fastened closed, buckled, or otherwise attached to bottom exterior panel 150 at a location proximal to a second exterior foldable edge 158 that forms a junction between bottom exterior panel 150 and rear exterior panel 134. As shown in Fig. 6, detached and folded pannier 72 may be compactly stored or carried away. [0030] Figs. 3 and 4 show a latch 162 including a rotatable knob 164 and a base 166 fixed to rear interior panel 134. Rotatable knob 164 may be inserted into a corresponding spatially aligned aperture 168 while forming top edge 146 as described above. Aperture 168 extends through front interior panel 136 and front exterior panel 132, and is sized to receive rotatable knob 164 when it is in a horizontally aligned position (see, e.g., Figs. 4 and 5). Subsequent to inserting rotatable knob 164 into and through aperture 168, rotatable knob 164 may be rotated approximately ninety degrees {e.g., vertically) relative to base 166 and aperture 168 so that rotatable knob 164 is positioned in transverse relationship to aperture 168, thereby preventing rotatable knob 164 from being pulled back out from aperture 168. As shown in Fig. 3, while pannier 72 is unfolded to its expanded state and latched closed, waterproof front exterior panel 132 and rear exterior panel 134 cooperatively form with panel sections 154, a sloped upper body portion 172 that sheds

precipitation and inhibits moisture from entering inside pannier 72.

[0031] Rotatable knob 164 includes an external lock-attachment aperture 170 that is sized to receive a shackle (not shown) of an external lock (not shown) for securely preventing access to an internal release cord 176 (Fig. 5) as well as other optional contents kept inside pannier 72. As described below, attached pannier 72 cannot be readily detached or released from pegs 70 without first pulling internal release cord 176. Thus, once pannier 72 is mounted and locked, would-be thieves are inhibited from opening pannier 72, or detaching and carrying it away because the thieves cannot unlock latch 162 and thereby access internal release cord 176. In some embodiments, rotatable knob 164 also includes an integrated locking mechanism {e.g., internal combination or key-access mechanism of conventional type).

[0032] Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing pannier 72 unattached from bicycle 10 and in an open condition of the expanded state with top side margins 132t and 134t spread apart to further illustrate its internal components. In this configuration, pannier 72 forms an open container having an interior with an open top through which items can be placed in the container for carriage. A user- actuatable release mechanism in the form of an internal release cord 176 includes a user-graspable handle portion 178, which is accessible to a user when pannier 72 is open, and two downwardly depending elongated segments 180 positioned between fabric layers of rear exterior panel 134 and rear interior panel 138. User-graspable handle portion 178 may be pulled upward to release pannier 72 from pegs 70 by tensioning elongated segments 180, which are coupled to and cooperate with a container coupling member preferably composed of internal mounting components 128 (Fig. 7) that are operable to releasably receive pegs 70. Internal plastic or metal structural elements 182 are sewn within fabric layers of pannier 72 to impart additional rigidity when pannier 72 is folded. Carrying handles 190 secured to pannier 72 with rivets 192 are provided so that pannier 72 may function as a reusable shopping or grocery bag and be readily carried while performing other errands.

[0033] Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged, fragmentary right-side perspective views of bicycle 10, illustrating attachment system 124 including pannier rack 62, pegs 70, and external mounting components 126 (Fig. 6) and internal mounting components 128 (Fig. 7) of unattached pannier 72 that is positioned to receive pegs 70. Portions other than internal mounting components 128 of pannier 72 are shown in dashed lines in Fig. 7 for purposes of clarity. Internal mounting components 128 of attachment system 124 (also referred to as a "mounting" system) include a rigid plate 202 (Fig. 7) that is positioned between fabric layers of rear exterior panel 134 and rear interior panel 138 and configured to support a release-mechanism housing bracket 204 that includes two spaced-apart, horizontally aligned pocket recesses 210 (Fig. 9A) for anchoring two quick-release ball joint linkages 212 described in further detail below. Internal mounting components 128 are protected from debris by external mounting components 126 that include low-friction wear plates 214 having peg-receiving bores 216. Attaching pannier 72 to rack 62 entails spatially aligning peg-receiving bores 216 with sockets 222 (Figs. 9A, 10A, and 1 1 A) of quick-release ball joint linkages 212 to receive and engage pegs 70. While pannier 72 is attached to rack 62, low-friction wear plates 214 reduce wear upon painted surfaces of bicycle 10.

[0034] Figs. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are respective top plan, front, left-side elevation, and rear views of attachment system 124, including a fragment of integrated rear pannier rack 62 showing pegs 70, and including internal mounting components 128. Figs 9A and 9B are respective front and rear views of attachment system 124. With particular reference to Figs. 8B and 9B, two quick-release ball joint linkages 212 each have a stepped-cylindrical body 228 that is anchored to a top wall 230 of a corresponding pocket recess 210. Stepped-cylindrical body 228 includes a raised shoulder 232 that butts against top wall 230 on one side, and necks-down to form a shaft 234 at the opposite side. A slidable spring-biased sleeve 236 circumscribes shaft 234 and is slidable along shaft 234 in a direction toward raised shoulder 232 to compress a tensioning spring 240 (Fig. 1 1 A). Spring-biased sleeve 236 is actuated with a lifter 242 that includes an eyelet 244 at one end for connecting to one end of internal release cord 176, distal flanges 246 at the opposite end, and elongated shafts 248 therebetween that are adjacent and parallel to cylindrical body 228.

[0035] Fig. 10B shows distal flange 246 including a confronting surface 256 that contacts beneath and engages a lower distal profile 258 of spring-biased sleeve 236. Fig. 10B also shows that shafts 248 may slide lengthwise within an aperture 260 in top wall 230. Elongated segments 180 are connected to corresponding eyelets 244 of lifters 242 so that when graspable pull handle 178 is pulled to apply tension to eyelets 244, the tension is transferred to confronting surfaces 256. Accordingly, confronting surfaces 256 transfer the tension to apply a force against lower distal profile 258 which compresses tensioning springs 240 as shafts 248 slide out from apertures 260. Thus, spring-biased sleeves 236 are lifted along shafts 234 to open sockets 222 and release (or engage) pegs 70. Raised shoulder 232 is positioned and sized to stop the sliding action once sockets 222 are sufficiently opened to readily remove pegs 70.

[0036] After tension is released from elongated segments 1 80, tensioning springs 240 expand longitudinally and press against an upper distal profile 264 and slide spring-biased sleeves 236 back down shaft 234, reducing the size of socket 222 to conform around a domed end 266 of peg 70. Fig. 1 1 B shows that the reduced size of socket 222 and downward force of springs 240 cooperatively lock pegs 70 inside sockets 222 when pannier 72 is attached. Therefore, attachment system 124 provides a locking mechanism when internal release handle 176 is locked within pannier 72 and cannot be pulled externally. Fig. 1 1 B also shows that pegs 70 may pivot within sockets 222 so that a center of gravity of panniers 72 may gradually shift while bicycle 10 is ridden to facilitate steering and control of bicycle 10.

[0037] As noted previously, attachment system 124 is configured to provide a lower attachment height 122 than that of conventional pannier racks. Moreover, conventional racks do not include mounting pegs 70. Fig. 12 shows an attachment system adapter bracket 270 sized to fit over and cover conventional racks, according to one embodiment. Attachment system adapter bracket 270 includes mounting points 272 on a top surface 274 that are sized to receive various fasteners including bolts, ropes, clips, or screws for fastening bracket 270 to conventional racks.

Attachment system adapter bracket 270 includes pegs 276 anchored to a side surface 278, which are similarly sized and positioned as pegs 70. Pegs 276 may be welded or screwed into side surface 278 in a manner similar to pegs 70 and top tube 26. Thus, pegs 276 may be used to attach pannier 72 as previously described. In some embodiments, an attachment system adapter bracket is constructed of bars that do not cover a conventional rack, but still provide pegs that are substantially similar to pegs 70 or pegs 276.

[0038] Figs. 13A and 13B show an accessory rear pannier rack 300 in positions separate from and attached to, respectively, a conventional road bicycle 10a having a diamond frame 12a. The elements of road bicycle 10a that are common to those of urban utility bicycle 10 are identified by the same reference numerals. As stated above with reference to Fig. 1 , low step-through frame 12 of urban utility bicycle 10 is constructed having wraparound split top tube 26 as a replacement for the seat stays, seat cluster, and top monotube of a conventional diamond frame. Seat stays 302, a seat cluster 304, and a top monotube 306 of diamond frame 12a of road bicycle 10a are shown in Figs. 13A and 13B.

[0039] Pannier rack 300 is an accessory framework that is constructed for attachment to road bicycle 10a and for supporting a pannier 72a, which is shown in Figs. 14, 15, 16, and 17. Pannier 72a and pannier 72 embody the same design, except for the addition of a latch tab receptacle 310 on rear exterior panel 134 of pannier 72a for receiving an external latch tab (312r or 3121) that extends upwardly from pannier rack 300. The framework of pannier rack 300 is composed of a metal rod formed with spaced-apart, parallel right- and left-side top straight segments 314r and 3141 and spaced-apart, parallel right- and left-side bottom straight segments 316r and 3161.

[0040] A U-shaped connecting segment 318r interconnects one end of right-side top straight segment 314r and one end of right-side bottom straight segment 316r, and a U-shaped connecting segment 3181 interconnects one end of left-side top straight segment 3141 and one end of left-side bottom straight segment 3161. The other ends of right- and left-side bottom straight segments 316r and 3161 terminate in curved sections of, respectively, a right-side support leg 320r and a left-side support leg 3201. The free ends of right- and left-side support legs 320r and 3201 have openings sized to receive the rear wheel quick-release skewer (not shown) passing through them and thereby facilitate attachment of the bottom portion of pannier rack 300 to road bicycle 10a.

[0041] A bridge segment 326 interconnects the other ends of right- and left-side top straight segments 314r and 3141. Right- and left-side stub connectors 328r and 3281 pointing inwardly toward each other and extending from the respective right- and left-side portions of bridge segment 326 have elliptical slots sized to receive a bolt (not shown) passing through them and a threaded hole (not shown) provided at seat cluster 304 and thereby facilitate attachment of the top portion of pannier rack 300 to road bicycle 10a.

[0042] Two pegs 70 spaced apart along and laterally extending outwardly from bottom straight segment 316r and external latch tab 312r extending upwardly from right-side top straight segment 314r cooperate to form an external coupling member for pannier 72a on the right side of road bicycle 10a. Similarly, two pegs 70 spaced apart along and laterally extending outwardly from bottom straight segment 3161 and external latch tab 3121 extending upwardly from left-side top straight segment 3141 cooperate to form an external coupling member for pannier 72a on the left side of road bicycle 10a.

[0043] Figs. 14 and 15 are enlarged, fragmentary right-side perspective views of bicycle 10a illustrating an attachment system 124a that corresponds to attachment system 124 shown for pannier 72 and a bicycle 10 in Figs. 6 and 7. A bottom portion of rear exterior panel 134 is removed from Fig. 15 to show release-mechanism housing bracket 204, which holds quick-release ball joint linkages 212 and is mounted to rigid plate 202.

[0044] As stated above, pannier 72a includes latch tab receptacle 310 that receives one of external latch tabs 312r and 3121, depending on to which side of bicycle 10a pannier 72a is attached. (The following discussion refers to latch tab 312r, with which latch tab receptacle 310 is shown aligned in Figs. 14 and 15.) Latch tab receptacle 310 is composed of a rectangular frame 340 set at a location in rear exterior panel 134 that is spatially aligned with external latch tab 312r when sockets 222 receive pegs 70 passing through peg-receiving bores 216. A slot (not shown) formed in the inner side margin of an upper long side 342 of frame 340 receives the top side of the free end of latch tab 312r when pannier 72a is attached to pannier rack 300. To attach pannier 72a to pannier rack 300, a user first inserts internal latch tab 312r into latch tab receptacle 310 and then snap fits pegs 70 into their spatially aligned sockets 222. To remove pannier 72a from pannier rack 300, the user pulls internal release cord 176 to open and thereby release pegs 70 from sockets 222 so that pannier 72a can be lifted off latch tab 312r and carried away from bicycle 10a.

[0045] Figs. 16 and 17 are right-side perspective views showing bicycle 10a and accessory rear pannier rack 300 to which pannier 72a is attached in, respectively, the closed condition of the collapsed state and the closed condition of the expanded state. Pannier 72a, as shown in Fig. 16, is collapsed to form flap-over panel 130 that reduces the volume of an empty container and thereby provides a compact pannier 70a for transport by bicycle 10a. Pannier 72a, as shown in Fig. 17 with flap-over panel lifted and top side margins 132t and 134t spread apart, is expanded to increase the volume of the container holding items for carriage and transport by bicycle 10a. (Latch 162 is omitted from Fig. 17.)

[0046] It will be obvious to skilled persons that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the present disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.