Pannier mounting system

A system, comprising:

• first and second female connectors adapted to be attached directly to a rack or to a rack attachment bracket that is adapted to be attached to a rack;
• a pannier container including an interior in which supplies can be carried;
• first and second male connectors attached to a side of the pannier container;
• wherein at least one of the first female connector and the first male connector includes a magnet that causes the first female connector and the first male connector to be attracted to one another and thereby to align with and connect to one another when they are brought within about one inch of one another;
• wherein at least one of the second female connector and the second male connector includes a magnet that causes the second female connector and the second male connector to be attracted to one another and thereby to align with and connect to one another when they are brought within about one inch of one another;
• wherein when the first female connector and the first male connector are connected to one another a downward facing surface of the first male connector rests on and is supported by an upward facing surface of the first female connector;
• wherein when the second female connector and the second male connector are connected to one another a downward facing surface of the second male connector rests on and is supported by an upward facing surface of the second female connector;
• wherein each of the first and second female connectors includes a body including an upper portion and a lower portion;
• wherein the upper portion of the body of the first female connector hangs from a first ring that attaches the first female connector directly to a rack or to a rack attachment bracket that attaches to a rack;
• and
• wherein the upper portion of the body of the second female connector hangs from a second ring that attaches the second female connector directly to a rack or to a rack attachment bracket that attaches to a rack.

A pannier mounting system for quickly and easily attaching and detaching a pannier container to and from a rack of a bicycle or motorcycle, the pannier mounting system comprising:

• a rack attachment bracket that is adapted to be attached to a rack of a bicycle or motorcycle;
• first and second slots included in a portion of the rack attachment bracket;
• a first pair of connectors attached to the rack attachment bracket, wherein each connector of the first pair of connectors includes a magnet;
• and
• a second pair of connectors attached to a side of the pannier container, wherein each connector of the second pair of connectors includes a magnet;
• a pannier release handle having a first end attached to a lower portion of one of the connectors of the first pair of connectors and having a second end attached to a lower portion of the other one of the connectors of the first pair of connectors;
• wherein attraction between the magnets of the first pair of connectors and the magnets of the second pair of connectors cause the first and second pair of connectors to connect to one another when they are brought within close proximity to one another;
• and
• wherein a first portion of the pannier release handle, which is adjacent the first end of the pannier release handle, passes through the first slot;
• wherein a second portion of the pannier release handle, which is adjacent the second end of the pannier release handle, passes through the second slot;
• wherein a center portion of the pannier release handle extends between the first and second slots and rests above the upper plate and is thereby accessible to be pulled;
• and
• wherein the pannier release handle causes the bottom portions of the first pair of connectors to rotate away from the second pair of connectors when pannier release handle is pulled upward, thereby detaching the pannier container from the rack attachment bracket, and thus from a rack to which the rack attachment bracket may be attached.