The present invention relates to a fastener assembly and particularly, but not exclusively, to a fastener assembly for releasably fastening a first and second item.

It is well known to secure receptacles, such as panniers, bags and the like to bicycles and motorcycles for transporting items. The receptacles are typically secured at the sides of a motorcycle, at the rear thereof and upon the fuel tank. However, when the receptacle is located upon the fuel tank, the receptacle typically extends over the aperture to the tank and as such, the receptacle must be removed in order that the motorcycle operator can place fuel in the tank. The receptacles are typically secured to the tank using magnets, elasticated straps and/or ropes, and it is found that the removal and replacement of receptacles to the tank of the motorcycle can be a time consuming task. Improved fastening arrangements have been proposed which include a first fastening member which is secured around a cap of the aperture to the fuel tank, and which is arranged to couple with a second fastening member that is secured or otherwise formed integrally with the receptacle. A problem with these existing fastening arrangements however, is that the receptacle obscures the view of the first and second fastening members with the result that it can be difficult to suitably align the fastening members to facilitate a suitable coupling.

In accordance with the present invention as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a fastener assembly for releasably fastening a first and second item, the assembly comprising a first fastener component arranged to be secured to the first item and a second fastener component arranged to be secured to the second item,

the first component comprising a member having a plurality of first flanges disposed thereon at separated positions along the member,

the second component comprising a housing having a base comprising a plurality of apertures separately arranged to receive a flange from the first component, the fastening arrangement further comprising a fastening element having a plurality of second flanges disposed thereon at separated positions along the element, the element being movable relative to the housing between a first configuration in which the second flanges are misaligned with the apertures, so that the first flanges may be received into the apertures, and a second configuration in which the second flanges are substantially aligned with the apertures to permit, in use, the second flanges to releasably engage with the first flanges, for releasably fastening the first and second components.

In an embodiment, the assembly further comprises biasing means for biasing the fastening element to the second configuration. In an embodiment, the base of the second component comprises a channel formed between a first and second wall, which extend upwardly from the base, along which the element is constrained to move. The first wall comprises a substantially continuous wall and which may comprise a plurality of castellated portions disposed at separated positions therealong. The second wall may comprise a plurality of wall sections, and which may be separately disposed adjacent a corresponding castellated portion of the first wall. Optionally, the apertures in the base of the second component are disposed within the channel between the wall sections of the second wall and the corresponding castellated portions of the first wall.

In an embodiment, the assembly further comprises a locking arrangement for locking the fastening element in the first configuration and second configuration. The locking arrangement comprises a plurality of first locking arms which extend from the fastening element, for locking the element in the first configuration and a plurality of second locking arms which extend from the fastening element, for locking the element in the second configuration. The plurality of first and second locking arms separately comprise a proximal end which is rigidly coupled to the element. The distal ends of the first locking arms are preferably resiliently biased upon a side of a respective wall section of the second wall, and the distal ends of the plurality of second locking arms are preferably resiliently biased upon a side of the first wall.

The distal ends of the first locking arms are arranged to move in sliding contact over the side of the corresponding wall section. A proximal region of each wall section comprises a first protuberance or stop which extends outwardly of the wall section away from the channel to define a ramp section. A distal end of a corresponding first locking arm may locate at the stop, namely a rear of the ramp, to lock the element in the first configuration. Similarly, the side of the first wall comprises a plurality of second protuberances or stops disposed thereon, which are separated along the first wall and which extend outwardly of the first wall to separately define a plurality of ramp sections. The second stops are configured to separately receive a distal end of a corresponding second locking arm to limit the movement of the element when reconfiguring from the second configuration to the first configuration. In an embodiment, the first stops define ramp sections which are inclined in an opposite direction to the ramp sections of the second stops. In an embodiment, the distal ends of the first locking arms further comprise a coupling point, such as a hook, for separately coupling with the biasing means, such as a proximal end of a corresponding extension spring. The springs are further coupled at a distal end thereof to a corresponding anchor point disposed upon the base of the second component. The springs are arranged to bias the element to move along the channel from the first configuration to the second configuration.

In an embodiment, the assembly further comprises a plurality of latches which are arranged to separately engage with the first flanges and the first locking arms to cause the element to become unlocked from the first configuration as the first flanges are received into the apertures of the second component. The latches are separately pivotally mounted at a proximal end thereof to a corresponding pivot point disposed upon the base of the second component and comprise a head disposed at a distal end thereof. The head of each latch is arranged to extend through an opening in a corresponding wall section and comprise a face portion which is arranged to extend over the corresponding aperture. The face portion of each head is inclined relative to the plane of the base and is arranged to contact a first flange as the first flange is received into the aperture. The inclined orientation of the face portion results in the latch pivoting about the corresponding pivot, outwardly away from the channel, substantially in the plane of the base, and engage with the first locking arms to cause the distal end of the first locking arms to move away from the corresponding wall sections and thus become removed from the stop, to unlock the element.

In an embodiment, the assembly further comprises an actuator for reconfiguring the element from the second configuration to the first configuration. The actuator is arranged to move relative to the base in a direction which is substantially parallel with a direction of movement of the element, between a first position and a second position. The actuator comprises a plurality of slots disposed therein for separately receiving an abutment from the fastening element. The element comprises a plurality of abutments disposed at separated positions therealong and in use separately extend through the slots disposed within the actuator. The actuator further comprises a plurality of ramp sections for separately engaging with a ramp follower disposed at a distal end of the second locking arms for separating the distal end of the second locking arms out of engagement with the outer side of the first wall.

In an embodiment, the fastening element and actuator comprises a ring shape and the channel comprises an annular channel formed between the first wall and the second wall which is disposed radially outer wall. The distal ends of the first and second locking arms of this embodiment are thus resiliently biased upon the radially outer side of the wall section of the second wall and the radially inner side of the first wall, respectively.

In an embodiment, the actuator further comprises a tab or finger press, which extends out from the housing of the second component, so that the actuator may be manipulated by an operator. In accordance with the present invention as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a receptacle for transporting items on a motorcycle, the receptacle comprising a fastener assembly according to the first aspect, wherein the first component is arranged to be secured to the motorcycle and the second component is arranged to be secured to the receptacle.

In an embodiment, the first component is arranged to be secured to a fuel tank of the motorcycle. In an alternative embodiment, the first component may be arranged to be secured to a frame of the motorcycle.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a is an exploded view of a receptacle and a fastener assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the first and second fastener components;

Figure 1b is a perspective view of a first fastener component secured upon a fuel tank of a motorcycle;

Figure 1c is a perspective view of a second fastener component secured to the first fastener component illustrated in figure 1 b;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of a fastener assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first fastener component;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the base of the second fastener component;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of fastening element;

Figure 6a and 6b are views of a latch from different perspectives; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the actuator;

Figure 8 is a plan view the second fastener component with the housing cover and actuator removed, with the fastening element in the locked first configuration;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the second fastener component illustrated in figure 8, with the flanges of the first fastener component partially received into the apertures of the second component;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the second fastener component illustrated in figure 9 with the flanges of the first fastener component fully received into the apertures of the second component with fastening element partially reconfigured to the second configuration; Figure 11 is a plan view of the second fastener component illustrated in figure 10 with the fastening element configured in the second configuration;

Figure 12a is a plan view of the second fastener component illustrated in figure 11 with the actuator in place and arranged in the first position;

Figure 12b is a plan view of the second fastener component illustrated in figure 12a with the actuator positioned between the first and second position; and,

Figure 12c is a plan view of the second fastener component illustrated in figure 12b with the actuator arranged in the second position.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a fastener assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention for releasably fastening a first and second item, such as a receptacle 100, for example a bag or pannier, to a fuel tank 21 of a motorcycle 20. The assembly 10 comprises a first fastener component 11 which in the illustrated embodiment, comprises an open ring shaped member 30 (as also illustrated in figure 3 of the drawings) which is configured to be secured around an aperture 22 of the fuel tank 21. The member 30 comprises a plurality of apertures 31 disposed therein which are configured to align with apertures located around the aperture of the fuel tank 21. The apertures are arranged to receive a screw 23 or bolt or similar for securing the first component 11 to the tank 21.

The first fastener component 11 further comprises a plurality of elongate flanges 32 which extend upwardly from the member 30 and radially inwardly of the member 30 (as also illustrated in figure 3 of the drawings). The flanges 32 are separated along the length of the member 30 and in the illustrated embodiment, the first component 1 1 comprises three flanges 32 which are angularly separated around the member 30 by approximately 120°. It is to be appreciated however, that while the member 30 has been illustrated as an arcuate or open ring shape, the member 30 may comprise alternative configurations, such as a linear configuration for securing to a frame (not shown) of the motorcycle 20, for example. Also, the first component 11 may comprise a different number of flanges 32.

The fastener assembly 10 further comprises a second fastener component 12 which is arranged to couple with the first component 11. The second component 12 may itself be rigidly coupled to an underside of the receptacle, hereinafter referred to as a bag 100, via coupling mounts (not shown) disposed on the second component 12 or may alternatively be formed integrally with the bag 100. Referring to figure 4 of the drawings, the second component 12 comprises a housing 40 having a base 41 having a substantially circular shape, however the skilled person will recognise that other shapes may also be used, and a peripheral side wall 41a which extends upwardly from the base and which terminates at an open upper periphery. The second component 12 further comprises a lid or cover 13 which is securable upon the housing 40 to close the housing 40.

Referring to figure 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated an exploded view of the fastener assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the various component parts. Referring to figure 4 of the drawings, the base 41 of the second component 12 comprises a first and second wall 42, 43 which cooperatively define a channel 44 within which a fastening element 50 (as illustrated in figure 5 of the drawings) is configured to move. The first wall 42 and second wall 43 extend upwardly from the base 41 and around the base along a circular path. The first and second walls 42, 43 are substantially concentrically arranged and the first wall 41 is disposed radially inwardly of the second wall to define an annular channel 44 therebetween.

The first wall 42 comprises a continuous wall having a plurality of castellated portions 42a, namely three in the illustrated embodiment, angularly separated around the wall 42 by approximately 120° (however, the person skilled in the art will recognise that a different number of castellated portions may be used). The second wall 43 comprises a plurality of wall sections 43a, namely three in the illustrated embodiment, separated by regions having no second wall. (Again however, the skilled person will recognise that a different number of wall sections may be used). The castellated portions 42a of the first wall 42 and the wall sections 43a of the second wall 43 are angularly aligned around the base 41 such that opposite ends of the castellated portions 42a and corresponding adjacent wall sections 43a are disposed at corresponding angular positions around the base 41 , and define a plurality of fastening regions 44a therebetween. The base 41 further comprises a plurality of elongate apertures 45 formed therein which are located within the channel 44 at each fastening region 44a and extend along an arcuate path through an angular range defined by the corresponding region 44a. The apertures 45 are sized and positioned to receive the flanges 32 disposed on the first fastener component 11 , so that the second component 12 may be easily located upon the first component 1 1.

Referring also to figure 5 of the drawings, the assembly 10 further comprises a fastening element 50 comprising a ring 51 which is configured to move within the channel 44 defined between the first and second wall 42, 43. The element 50 comprises a plurality of elongate flanges 52 which extend radially outwardly of the ring 51 and are angularly separated around the ring 51 by approximately 120°. The element 50 is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the flanges 52 are substantially rotationally misaligned with the apertures 45 formed in the base 41 , such that the flanges 32 of the first component 11 can be received into the housing 40 through the base 41 , and second configuration in which the flanges 52 of the element 50 are substantially rotationally aligned with the apertures 45 in the base 41 , to facilitate a fastening together of the first and second components 1 1 , 12.

The assembly 10 further comprises a locking arrangement for locking the fastening element 50 in the first and second configuration. The locking arrangement comprises a plurality of first and second locking arms 53, 54 coupled to the ring 51 , which are configured to lock the element 50 in the first and second configurations, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking arrangement comprises three first locking arms 53 and three second locking arms 54 although the skilled person will recognise that a different number of first and second locking arms may be used.

The first locking arms 53 are rigidly coupled at a proximal end 53a thereof to the ring 51 of the fastening element 50 and are arranged to extend along an arcuate path in the same direction (anti-clockwise in figure 5), substantially parallel to the ring 51. The first locking arms 53 are coupled to the ring 51 at positions angularly separated by approximately 120° and a distal end 53b of each arm 53 is resiliently biased on a radially outer side of a corresponding wall section 43a of the second wall 43. A distal end 53b of the first locking arms 53 comprise an inclined edge 53c which is arranged to locate with a first stop defined on a radially outer side of the wall sections 43a by a protuberance or ramp section 46. The ramp sections 46 are formed at corresponding proximate regions of each wall section 43a and the inclined edge 53c is arranged to abut a rear of the ramp section 46, to prevent the element 50 reconfiguring from the first configuration to the second configuration, namely lock the element 50 in the first configuration. The second locking arms 54 are rigidly coupled at a proximal end 54a thereof to the ring 51 of the fastening element 50 and are arranged to extend along an arcuate path in the same direction (clockwise in figure 5), substantially parallel to the ring 51 , but in an opposite direction to the first arms 53. The second locking arms 54 are coupled to the ring 51 at positions angularly separated by approximately 120° and a distal end of each of the second arms 54b is resiliently biased on a radially inner side of a corresponding castellated portion 42a of the first wall 42. A distal end 54b of the second locking arms 54 similarly comprise an inclined edge 54c which is arranged to locate with a second stop defined on a radially outer side of the wall sections by a protuberance or ramp section 47. The ramp sections 47 are formed upon the first wall 42 and the castellated portions 42a, and the inclined edge 54c is arranged to locate with a rear of the ramp section 47, to prevent the element 50 reconfiguring from the second configuration to the first configuration, namely lock the element 50 in the second configuration.

The assembly 10 further comprises biasing means for biasing the fastening element 50 to the second configuration. The biasing means may comprise a plurality of elastic straps or extension springs 55 for example, namely three in the illustrated embodiment, although the skilled person will recognise that the assembly 10 may comprise a different number of springs 55. The springs 55 are separately coupled at one end to a hooked portion 56 disposed at a distal end 53b of the first locking arms 53, and at the other end to a corresponding anchor point 48 formed on the base 41 of the second component 12. The anchor points 48 may further serve as coupling positions for coupling the cover or lid 13 to the housing 40.

Referring also to figure 6 of the drawings, the assembly 10 further comprises a plurality of latches 60 which are arranged to unlock the first locking arms 53 from the locked first configuration, so that the element 50 can rotate under the bias of the biasing means 55 to the second configuration. The assembly 10 comprises a separate latch 60 for each of the first locking arms 53, and each latch 60 comprises an elongate body 61 which is pivotally coupled to a pivot point 49 disposed upon the base 41. Each latch body 61 extends from the pivot point 49 and terminates at a latch head 62 which extends into the fastening region 44a through a corresponding opening 43b in a wall section 43a of the second wall 43 at the proximate region thereof. Each latch head 62 comprises a face portion 63 which is inclined over a corresponding aperture 45 formed in the base 41 , and a catch 64 which is arranged to engage with a distal end 53b of a separate first locking arm 53. Each latch 60 is configured to pivot about the pivot point 49 such that the latch head 62 can move into and out from the fastening region 44a via the opening 43b in the corresponding wall section 43a.

Referring also to figure 7 of the drawings, the assembly 10 further comprises an actuator 70 for enabling the fastening element 50 to reconfigure from the second configuration to the first configuration. The actuator 70 comprises a disc shaped member 71 and a tab or finger press 72 which, in use, is arranged to extend outwardly of the housing 40 so that the actuator 70 may be manipulated by an operator (not shown). The actuator 70 comprises a plurality of elongate slots 73 formed there which extend along an arcuate path and which are angularly separated by approximately 120°, to separately correspond with the movement of a plurality of abutments 57 disposed upon the ring 51 of the fastening element 50. The abutments 57 are arranged to engage with the actuator 70 at an end of the slot 73 so that upon rotating the actuator 70 the ring 51 and thus the fastening element 50 can be moved by virtue of the engagement of the abutments 57 with the ends of the slots 73.

The actuator 70 further comprises a central aperture 74 having a plurality of engagement sections 74a, namely three in the illustrated embodiment, which are arranged to separately engage with a follower body 58 disposed at a distal end 54b of the second locking arms 54 to separate the distal end 54b of the second locking arms 54 from contact with the radially inner side of the first wall 42, so that the distal end 54b of the second locking arms 54 can move radially inward of the first wall 42 and pass over the ramp sections 47 disposed thereon. The engagement sections 74a separately comprise an inner edge 75 of the actuator 70, and comprise an arcuate region 75a having substantially the same radius of curvature as the first wall 42, and a ramp region 75b which departs from the curvature of the arcuate region, radially inwardly of the first wall 42. Referring to figure 8 of the drawings, there is illustrated a plan view of the second fastener component 12 with the fastening element 50 locked in the first configuration. In this configuration, the distal ends 53b of each of the first locking arms 53 are located at the rear of a respective ramp section 46 disposed upon an outer side of a corresponding wall section 43a and the flanges 52 of the fastening element 50 are misaligned with the apertures 45 disposed in the base 41. The clearly defined open apertures 45 in the base 41 of the second fastener component 12 thus facilitate a readily achievable alignment of the second fastener component 12 with the first fastener component 11 and thus a rapid coupling thereof. It is also evident that the extension springs 55 are extended and thus bias the fastening element 50 to move in an anti-clockwise direction when viewed in figure 8. In this configuration, it is also evident that the head 62 of each latch 60 extends into the fastening region 44a over a corresponding aperture 45 in the base 41. Furthermore, the distal end 54b of the second locking arms 54 are located at a front of the ramp sections 47 formed on the first wall 42.

In use, when it is desired to couple the second fastener component 12 to the first fastener component 11 , and thus a bag 100 to a fuel tank 21 of a motorcycle 20, for example, the flanges 32 of the first fastener component 1 1 are aligned with the apertures 45 in the base 41 of the second component 12, as illustrated in figure 9 of the drawings. As the flanges 32 become fully received into the housing 40 of the second component 12, the face portion 61 of each latch 60 will engage with a corresponding flange 32 of the first component 11 and the inclined orientation of the face portions 61 cause the latches 60 to pivot radially outwardly. This movement causes the catch 64 formed on the head 62 of each latch 61 to engage with the corresponding first locking arm 53 and lift the distal end 53b of the locking arm 53 over the corresponding ramp section 46 to unlock the fastening element 50 from the first configuration. Referring to figure 9 of the drawings, the bias on the extension springs 55 subsequently causes the fastening element 50 to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction within the channel 44, as illustrated in figure 10 to cause the flanges 52 on the ring 51 of the fastening element 50 to move under the flanges 32 of the first fastener component 11 to couple the first 11 and second fastener 12 components together. To prevent over-rotation of the fastening element 51 , the wall sections 43a further comprise an end wall 43d disposed at a distal region thereof, which extends into the channel 44 to arrest the movement of the flanges 52 and thus the ring 51. During this rotation of the ring 51 , the distal end of the second locking arms 54 rise over the ramp sections 47 formed on the inner side of the first wall 42 and move beyond the rear of the ramp sections 47. The resilient nature of the second locking arms 54 however, causes the distal end 54b of the second locking arms 54 to snap locate back in contact with the inner side of the first wall 42 as the distal ends 54b of the second locking arms 54b move over the corresponding ramp sections 47.

Figure 11 illustrates the fastening element 50 in the second configuration in which the first and second fastener components 1 1 , 12 are coupled together, and by virtue of the positioning of the distal end 54b of the second locking arms 54 beyond the rear of the ramp sections 47, the fastening element 50 is prevented from recovering to the first configuration. However, it is also to be noted that the bias of the extension springs 55 further restricts the reconfiguration of the fastening element 50 to the first configuration.

When it is desired to uncouple the first and second fastener components 11 , 12, namely remove the bag 100 from the fuel tank 21 for example, an operator (not shown) rotates the actuator 70 in a clockwise direction as view in figure 12a, by manipulating the finger press 72. Upon rotating the actuator 70, the follower body 58 of each of the second locking arms 54 first engages the ramp region 75b of the corresponding engagement section 74a which causes the distal end 54b of the second locking arms 54 to move along the ramp 74b and progressively move radially inwardly of the first wall 42 out of contact with the first wall 42, as illustrated in figure 12b of the drawings. As the follower body 58 of each of the second locking arms 54 reaches the limit of the ramp region 75b as the actuator 70 rotates in the clockwise direction (as illustrated in figure 12b), the abutments 57 formed on the ring 51 are arranged to engage with a trailing side edge of a corresponding slot 73 to cause the fastening element 50 to rotate in a clockwise direction, namely reconfigure from the second configuration to the first configuration. The separation of the distal ends 54b of the second locking arms 54 from the first wall 42 enable the second locking arms 54 to move over the ramp sections 47 formed on the first wall 42 and upon further clockwise rotation, the flanges 52 disposed upon the ring 51 move from beneath the flanges 32 of the first fastener component 11 , so that the second fastener component 12 can be lifted from the first fastener component 11 , as illustrated in figure 12c of the drawings. At the same time, the distal ends 53b of the first arms 53 move over the ramp sections 46 formed on the wall sections 43a and snap locate at the rear of the ramp sections 46 to lock the element 53 in the first configuration, and the extension springs 55 develop a bias to urge the fastening element 50 back to the second configuration. As the distal ends 53b of the first locking arms 53 snap locate at the rear of the corresponding ramps sections 46 on the wall sections 43a, the latches 60 further pivot to cause the latch head 62 to move over the corresponding aperture 45 formed in the base 41 , ready for the next fastening activity. From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the fastener assembly provide a simple yet effective means for quick coupling and release of the bag to a fuel tank of a motorcycle.