Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

TITLE OF INVENTION
A SADDLE-TYPE VEHICLE

APPLICANT
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, an Indian company, having its address at “Chaitanya”, No.12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India.

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rear fender assembly of the saddle-type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Saddle-type vehicles, more particularly two-wheeled vehicles, are one of the most commonly used vehicles worldwide. With the increasing demands of two-wheeled vehicles, the manufacturing and transportation have become very crucial aspects of the industry. Generally, the two-wheeled vehicle consists of a front wheel and a rear wheel mounted to a frame structure. In some two wheeled vehicles, the rear wheel is provided with a wider wheelbase in order to enhance stability and ease of manoeuvrability of the vehicle. Such increase in the wheelbase of the rear wheel of the vehicle also increases the dimension and size of a rear fender for covering the rear wheel.
[003] Generally, the two-wheeled vehicles are transported from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to a sales location using transport vehicles such as trucks or other heavy-duty vehicles. These transport vehicles have a limited space, so the two-wheeled vehicles are usually arranged in lines/rows inside the truck. It has been observed that during transit of the vehicles, the movement of the truck and uneven road conditions causes the two-wheeled vehicles to shift from their initial positions. In such circumstances, the rear fender which is an integrally manufactured and having an increased size and/or dimension gets damaged. Further the rear fender is prone to breakage caused by forward leaning movement of the rear two wheeled vehicle on the vehicle parked in the front of it i.e., collision or entanglement of the rear fender or any portion of the rear fender with other vehicles or surrounding objects.
[004] It has also been observed that while arranging the vehicles inside the transporting vehicles, a tip or portion of the rear fender of the vehicle collides against container walls or surrounding parts which may damage the rear fender. Such circumstances tend to reduce the overall strength of the rear fender of the two wheeled vehicle and also diminishes the overall rigidity and appearance of the two wheeled vehicles.
[005] Some of the conventional vehicles also include a split type rear fender whereby the split portion is divided into a first part that is disposed in front of the rear suspension and a second part that extends behind the rear suspension. However, it has been observed that the second part of these split type rear fender is quite long and is susceptible to collide with surrounding vehicles or objects and gets damaged during transportation. In another type of conventional vehicles, the rear fender is a metallic integrated structure that includes one or more brackets for mounting a tail lamp. However, when these type of metallic rear fender are transported in a truck, there are higher chances of them colliding and consequently breaking the tail lamp of the vehicle. Further, the metallic rear fender is more susceptible to scratch or dents which may diminish the aesthetic finish of the vehicle and incur additional costs of repairing.
[006] In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a saddle-type vehicle having an improved rear fender assembly which solve at least one of the aforesaid problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one aspect of the invention, a saddle-type vehicle is disclosed. The saddle-type vehicle includes a frame structure and a rear fender assembly for covering a rear wheel of the vehicle. The rear fender assembly is attached to the frame structure and extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The rear fender assembly includes a first portion, a second portion and a mounting bracket. The first portion being made of a first material. The second portion being made of a second material. The second material is lighter than the first material. The mounting bracket is attached to the first portion and is configured to detachably receive the second portion.
[008] In an embodiment, the first portion of the rear fender assembly includes a front end and a rear end.
[009] In an embodiment, the second portion of the rear fender assembly includes an upper end, a lower end, and a pair of supporting arms. The lower end extends away from the upper end in a downward direction of the vehicle. The pair of supporting arms is formed between the upper end and the lower end. Each of the pair of supporting arms extends away from each other in a vehicle width direction.
[010] In an embodiment, the mounting bracket includes a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to receive the rear end of the first portion of the rear fender assembly through one or more fasteners.
[011] In an embodiment, the second end of the mounting bracket is configured to be attached to the upper end of the second portion of the rear fender assembly through one or more fasteners.
[012] In an embodiment, the first material is a metal.
[013] In an embodiment, the second material is a plastic.
[014] In an embodiment, each of the upper end and the pair of supporting arms of the second portion includes a housing formed on a side facing the rear wheel. The housing is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the mounting bracket.
[015] In an embodiment, the mounting bracket corresponds to the shape of the second portion of the rear fender assembly.
[016] In an embodiment, the second portion is triangular in shape.
[017] In an embodiment, the second portion of the rear fender assembly is configured to receive at least one of a license plate or reflectors of the vehicle.
[018] In an embodiment, a length of the first portion of the rear fender assembly is greater than the length of the second portion of the rear fender assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[019] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a rear portion of an exemplary vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a rear fender assembly of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a rear fender assembly of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of a rear fender assembly of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[020] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[021] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle having a rear fender assembly for covering a rear wheel.
[022] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a rear portion of a saddle-type vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[023] In the present invention, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to a vehicle, defining a vehicle longitudinal direction while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle, defining a vehicle width direction. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Arrows provided in the top right corner of figures depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes a front direction, an arrow R indicates a rearward direction, an arrow Up denotes an upward direction, an arrow Dw denotes a downward direction of the vehicle.
[024] The vehicle 100 is a two wheeled vehicle, and includes a frame structure (not shown) to support and mount different parts of the vehicle 100. The frame structure is extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. The frame structure includes a head tube (not shown), a main tube (not shown) and a pair of seat rails 103 (shown in Figure 2). The pair of seat rails 103 is configured to receive a vehicle seat 150. A pillion handlebar 160 is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 includes a front wheel (not shown) and a rear wheel 130 supportably mounted to the frame structure through one or more rear shock absorbers (not shown). The vehicle 100 includes a power generating unit (not shown) which may be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. Power from the power generating unit is transmitted to the rear wheel 150 through a transmission assembly (not shown) so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 130. The transmission assembly includes a chain case 140.
[025] As shown, the vehicle 100 includes a rear fender assembly 109 for covering a rear wheel 130 from above. The rear fender assembly 109 is attached to a portion of the frame structure of the vehicle 100. The rear fender assembly 109 includes a first portion 110, a second portion 120 and a mounting bracket 115. The first portion 110 extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100, and the first portion 110 has a length relatively larger than the length of the second portion 120. The first portion 110 is made of a first material. The first material being a metal. The second portion 120 is made of a second material being lighter than the first material. The second material being a plastic. The mounting bracket 115 is attached to the first portion 110 and is configured to detachably receive the second portion 120. The second portion 120 is detachably attached to the mounting bracket 115 through one or more fasteners. The fasteners may be undone to remove the second portion 120. A saree guard 135 is mounted through the first portion 110 of the rear fender assembly 109, to the frame structure of the vehicle 100.
[026] Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a rear fender assembly 109 of the vehicle 100 shown in Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The first portion 110 of the rear fender assembly 109 includes a front end 112 (shown in Figure 3) and a rear end 114. The first portion 110 includes an outer surface and inner surface. The inner surface being a surface facing the rear wheel 130 of the vehicle 100.A portion of an outer surface of the first portion 110 is configured to be attached to the pair of seat rails 103 through fender brackets 104 and is fastened by one or more fastening means. The fastening means include, but not limited to a screw, fastener, rivet, nut, bolt etc.
[027] A cross member 105 is attached to rear ends of the pair of seat rails 103 and is extending in the vehicle width direction. The cross member 105 is configured to receive ends of the pillion handle 160 (shown in Figure 1) and a taillight 180. The rear end 114 of the first portion 110 is configured to receive rear turn indicators 170 of the vehicle 100. The mounting bracket 115 is attached to the inner surface of rear end 114 of the first portion 110 through fasteners.
[028] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the rear fender assembly 109 of the vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the front end 112 of the first portion 110 is attached to the frame structure 102. A front portion of the saree guard 135 is attached to the fender bracket 104 through a first attachment member 134 and a rear portion of the saree guard 135 is attached to the inner surface of the rear end 114 through a second attachment member 136. The second attachment member is disposed in proximity to the mounting bracket 115.
[029] As shown, the mounting bracket 115 includes a first end 115a and a second end 115b. The second end 115b is a plate shaped member having mounting holes 116. The first end 115a is configured to be attached to the inner surface of the rear end 114 of the first portion 110 of the rear fender assembly 109 through fasteners (not shown). The inner surface of the rear end 114 includes attachment means for receiving the fasteners. The attachment means include, but not limited to, a nut secured to the inner surface and having a threaded hole configured to receive fasteners.
[030] In an embodiment, the second portion 120 of the rear fender assembly 109 includes an upper end 122 and a lower end 126. The lower end 126 extends away from the upper end 122 in the downward direction of the vehicle 100. The second portion 120 includes a pair of supporting arms 123a, 123b formed between the upper end 122 and the lower end 126. Each of the pair of supporting arms 123a, 123b extends away from each other in the vehicle width direction. The pair of supporting arms 123a, 123b has side ends. Each of the side ends being configured to receive a housing 124. Each of the housing 124 is configured to receive a side reflector. The side reflector is attached to the housing 124 through adhesive means. The upper end 122 includes a bracket 125 mounted on a portion of the pair of supporting arms 123a, 123b. The bracket 125 is configured to receive a license plate of the vehicle 100 through fastening means. The fastening means include, but not limited to, a fastener, screw, rivet, nut and/or bolt etc. Alternatively, the license plate may be attached to the bracket 125 through adhesives.
[031] In an embodiment, each of the upper end 122 and the pair of supporting arms 123a, 123b of the second portion 120 includes a housing formed on a side facing the rear wheel 130. The housing is configured to receive or accommodate a portion of the mounting bracket 115. Such configuration provides a rigid attachment support to the second portion 120 of the rear fender assembly 109.
[032] In an embodiment, the pair of supporting members 123a, 123b comprises attachment portions formed on the inner surface. The attachment portions (not shown) includes threaded nuts being configured to be aligned to the mounting holes 116 of the second end 115b. The threaded nuts of the pair of the supporting arms 123a, 123b being configured to receive fasteners 117. The mounting bracket 115 corresponds to the shape and/or profile of the second portion 120 of the rear fender assembly 109. The lower end 126 of the second portion 120 includes a housing 127 disposed below the bracket 125. The housing 127 is configured to receive a rear reflector through adhesive means.
[033] In an embodiment, the second portion 120 is triangular in shape or may include other shapes subject to aesthetic requirements of the vehicle. The mounting bracket 115 corresponds to the shape of the second portion in such a way that at least a portion of the mounting bracket 115 is received/ accommodated inside the second portion 120.
[034] Figure 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of a rear fender assembly of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the mounting bracket 115 includes a light (L) which is disposed above the license plate and configured to emit light on the license plate when a head light of the vehicle 100 is turned ON.
[035] During the transportation of the vehicle 100, the vehicles 100 may be easily arranged inside the transporting vehicle by detaching the second portion 120 which is of the lighter weight and having a short length than the first portion 110. Alternatively, the vehicle 100 may be transported only with the first portion 110 of the rear fender assembly 110 and later the second portion 120 may be assembled or attached with the first portion 110 through the mounting bracket 115, thereby providing flexibility and reduction in overall assembly time of the vehicle 100.
[036] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saddle-type vehicle having a rear fender assembly. The rear fender assembly includes a first portion, a second portion and a mounting bracket. The first portion being made of a first material and a second portion is made of a second material being lighter than the first material. The mounting bracket is attached to the first portion and is configured to detachably receive the second portion of the rear fender assembly. The second portion having an upper and the pair of supporting arms having a housing configured to receive the mounting bracket provide a rigid mounting support to the second portion. The present invention enables a user to remove the second portion from the first portion which is of lighter weight and shorter length and can be easily detached from the mounting bracket and results into easy, convenient, and safe transportation of the vehicle while preventing damages to the first portion of the rear fender assembly or other parts of the vehicle. The present invention provides an advantage of adjusting clearance between the vehicle and surrounding storing walls of the transportation vehicle while loading and unloading depending on the space availability inside the transportation vehicle, through the detachable first and second portion. The present invention provides a rear fender assembly which is simple in construction and usage.
[037] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
List of Reference Numerals
100 – Vehicle
102 – Frame structure
103 – Pair of seat rails
104 – fender brackets
105 – cross member
109 – Rear fender assembly
110 – First portion of rear fender assembly
112 – Front end of the first portion
114 – Rear end of the first portion
115 – Mounting bracket
115a – First end of the mounting bracket
115b – Second end of the mounting bracket
116 – Mounting holes of the second end
117 – Fasteners
120 – Second portion of the rear fender assembly
122 – Upper end of the second portion
123a, 123b – Pair of supporting arms
124 – Housing(s) for side reflector
125 – Bracket for mounting license plate
126 – Lower end of the second portion
127 – Housing for rear reflector
130 – Rear wheel
134 – First attachment member
135 – Saree Guard
136 – Second attachment member
140 – Chain Case
150 – Vehicle seat
160 – Pillion Handle
170 – Rear Turn Indicators
180 - Taillight
L – Light
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle-type vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame structure (102); and
a rear fender assembly (109) for covering a rear wheel (130) of the vehicle (100), the rear fender assembly (109) being attached to the frame structure (102) and extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (100), the rear fender assembly (109) comprising a first portion (110) made of a first material, a second portion (120) made of a second material being lighter than the first material, and a mounting bracket (115) attached to the first portion (110) and being configured to detachably receive the second portion (120).

2. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first portion (110) comprises a front end (112) and a rear end (114).

3. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portion (120) of the rear fender assembly (109) comprises an upper end (122), a lower end (126) extending away from the upper end (112) in a downward direction of the vehicle (100), and a pair of supporting arms (123a, 123b) formed between the upper end (122) and the lower end (126), each of the pair of supporting arms (123a, 123b) extending away from each other in a vehicle width direction.

4. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket (115) comprises a first end (115a) and a second end (115b), the first end (115a) of the mounting bracket (115) is configured to be attached to the rear end (114) of the first portion (110) of the rear fender assembly (109) through one or more fasteners.

5. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second end (115b) of the mounting bracket (115) being configured to be attached to the upper end (122) of the second portion (120) of the rear fender assembly (109) through one or more fasteners (117).

6. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first material being a metal.

7. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second material being a plastic.

8. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the upper end (122) and the pair of supporting arms (123a, 123b) of the second portion (120) comprises a housing formed on a side facing the rear wheel (130), the housing being configured to accommodate at least a portion of the mounting bracket (115).

9. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket (115) corresponds to the shape of the second portion (120) of the rear fender assembly (109).

10. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second portion (120) being triangular in shape.

11. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portion (120) of the rear fender assembly (109) being configured to receive at least one of: a license plate or reflectors of the vehicle (100).

12. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of the first portion (110) of the rear fender assembly (109) is greater than the length of the second portion (120) of the rear fender assembly (109).

Dated this 16th day of May 2023

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471