Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] Present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a body cover assembly for the saddle-type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Typically, vehicles such as saddle-type vehicle, are provided with body cover panel mounted onto below a seat. The body cover panel is adapted to mask components mounted onto a frame member of the saddle-type vehicle and also for enhancing aesthetic appeal for the vehicle. Additionally, the saddle-type vehicle is provided with a leg shield panel mounted onto a front portion of the frame member. The leg shield panel is provided for shielding legs of a rider during movement of the saddle-type vehicle.
[003] In conventional vehicles, the body cover panel and the leg shield are manufactured or produced as a single part. Accordingly, the body cover panel and the leg shield panel are mounted together onto the frame member. The body cover panel and the leg shield panel are mounted onto the frame member though one or more fasteners. The use of one or more fasteners for joining the body cover panel and the leg shield panel causes visible joints on a surface of the saddle-type vehicle. Consequently, affecting aesthetic appearance of the saddle-type vehicle.
[004] Additionally, while the servicing and washing of the saddle-type vehicle, repeated fastening and unfastening of the fasteners may be required, which causes chipping off of the paint applied on the surface of the body cover panel and the leg shield panel. Moreover, the repeated fastening and unfastening of the screws over time leads to loosening of the body cover panel and the leg shield panel and may create some gap in a joint of the body cover panel and leg shield. The gap in the joint leads to water ingression which may damage components such as an engine, disposed behind the joint area of the body cover panel and the leg shield panel. Furthermore, the use of multiple fasteners on the body cover panel and on the leg shield panel reduces the overall rigidity of the body cover panel, which is undesirable.
[005] In view of the above, there is a need for a body cover assembly for a saddle-type vehicle, which addresses at least some of the limitations mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, a body cover assembly for a saddle-type vehicle is provided. The body cover assembly comprises a body cover panel disposed below a seat of the saddle-type vehicle and extending in a front end of the seat to a rear end of the saddle-type vehicle. A leg shield panel is mounted to a front side of the saddle-type vehicle and extends rearwardly in a front-rear direction of the saddle-type vehicle, The leg shield panel comprises an engagement portion that is adapted to interlock with a mounting portion of the body cover panel for mounting the leg shield panel onto the body cover panel.
[007] In an embodiment, the engagement portion of the leg shield panel is provided with one or more mounting lugs. The one or more mounting lugs is adapted to interlock with the mounting portion of the body cover panel.
[008] In an embodiment, the one or more mounting lugs comprise a first mounting lug, a second mounting lug and a third mounting lug. The first mounting lug is disposed at a rear end of the engagement portion. The second mounting lug is disposed at a central portion of the engagement portion. The third mounting lug is disposed on a bottom end of the engagement portion.
[009] In an embodiment, the body cover panel is a tapered member having a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion is larger than the rear portion.
[010] In an embodiment, the front portion of the body cover panel extends downwardly in a top-down direction of the saddle-type vehicle. The mounting portion is provided in the front portion of the body cover panel.
[011] In an embodiment, the mounting portion is provided with one or more guideways, wherein the one or more guideways is adapted to slidably guide the engagement portion onto the mounting portion for interlocking the leg shield panel with the body cover panel.
[012] In an embodiment, the mounting portion is provided with one or more rib members, wherein the one or more rib members are adapted to engage with the engagement portion for interlocking the leg shield panel with the body cover panel.
[013] In an embodiment, the body cover panel is provided with a bottom slot. The bottom slot is provided below the one or more ribs, wherein the bottom slot being adapted to engage with the third mounting lug provided in the engagement portion of the leg shield panel.
[014] In an embodiment, the one or more mounting lugs in the engagement portion of the leg shield panel are adapted to engage with the one or more rib members.
[015] In an embodiment, each of the one or more mounting lugs is provided with a curved mouth for ease of engagement with the one or more rib members.
[016] In an embodiment, the body cover panel being provided with a mounting member. The mounting member is provided on a bottom surface of the body cover panel, wherein the mounting member is adapted to receive and support a footrest member.
[017] In another aspect, the saddle-type vehicle is disclosed. The saddle-type vehicle comprises the frame member, and the body cover assembly mounted onto the frame member. The body cover assembly comprises the body cover panel disposed below the seat and extends in the front end of the seat to the rear end of the saddle-type vehicle. The leg shield panel is mounted to the front side of the saddle-type vehicle and extends rearwardly in the front-rear direction of the saddle-type vehicle, The leg shield panel comprises the engagement portion that is adapted to interlock with a mounting portion of the body cover panel for mounting the leg shield panel onto the body cover panel.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMAPNYING DRAWINGS
[018] 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 is a perspective view of a part of a saddle-type vehicle comprising a body cover assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part of the saddle-type vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a body cover panel of the body cover assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a leg shield panel of the body cover assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rear mounting portion of the leg shield panel of the body cover assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a mounting portion of the body cover panel, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[019] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly the present invention relates to a body cover assembly for the saddle-type vehicle. The body cover assembly is adapted to be mounted onto the saddle-type vehicle such that mounting details are masked, while reducing part count.
[020] In the present disclosure, arrow indications provided in Figures pertain to directional indications of the body cover assembly with respect to the saddle-type vehicle. As such, the terms “front side”, “rear side”, “right side”, “left side”, “upside” and “downside” respectively correspond to front, rear, right, left, up and down sides of the body cover assembly with respect to the saddle-type vehicle, until and unless specified otherwise.
[021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of a saddle-type vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The saddle-type vehicle comprises a frame member (not shown) having a head pipe (not shown) and a maintube (not shown) extending rearwardly from the head pipe. One or more seat tubes (not shown) extend rearwardly from the main tube upto a rear end 104 of the vehicle. The one or more seat tubes are adapted to support a seat of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the maintube may extend upto the rear end 104, and accordingly the maintube is capable of supporting the seat of the vehicle.
[022] A body cover assembly 100 is mounted onto the frame member. The body cover assembly 100 is adapted to mask components (not shown) of the vehicle mounted on the frame member. The body cover assembly 100 is also capable of being assembled and/or disassembled easily from the frame member during a service or a maintenance requirement, while reducing the number of the parts in the vehicle.
[023] In an embodiment, the present disclosure depicts the body cover assembly 100 being mounted on a left side (not shown) of the frame member. However, the body cover assembly 100 is capable of being mounted on a right side (not shown) of the vehicle as well. In an embodiment, the body cover assembly mounted on the right side of the frame member is depicted as ‘130’, for ease of clarity and understanding. For the sake of brevity, mounting and constructional details pertaining to the body cover assembly 100 mounted on the left side of the frame member is described in the present disclosure. Accordingly, the description of the body cover assembly 100 mounted on the left side of the frame member is applicable and/or relevant for the body cover assembly 100 that is mounted on the right side of the frame member, albeit with changes in the side of mounting on the frame member.
[024] Referring to Figure 2 in conjunction with Figure 1, the body cover assembly 100 mounted onto the left side of the frame member is depicted. The body cover assembly 100 comprises a body cover panel 102 that is disposed or positioned below the seat. The body cover panel 102 extends from a front end (not shown) of the seat to the rear end 104 of the vehicle. The body cover panel 102 is provided with one or more mounting members (not shown). The one or more mounting members are provided on an inner surface (not shown) of the body cover panel 102 and are adapted to engage with the frame member. As such, the one or more mounting members ensure mounting of the body cover panel 102 onto the frame member.
[025] Further, the body cover panel 102 has a front portion 102a and a rear portion 102b, wherein the front portion 102a is positioned below the front end of the seat, while the rear portion 102b is positioned proximal to the rear end 104 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the body cover panel 102 is a tapered member having the front portion 102a that is larger than the rear portion 102b. In other words, the body cover panel 102 tapers from the front portion 102a upto the rear portion 102b. Such a construction of the body cover panel 102 enhances aesthetic appeal of the vehicle, while also covering the components that are mounted on the frame member.
[026] In an embodiment, the front portion 102a extends downwardly in a top-down direction of the vehicle, while the rear portion 102b extends upwardly in the top-down direction of the vehicle. As such, the construction of the body cover panel 102 is inclined with respect to the frame member. Such a construction of the body cover panel 102 further enhances aesthetic appeal of the vehicle.
[027] At the front portion 102a of the body cover panel 102, a mounting portion 110 is provided. The mounting portion 110 is adapted to interlock with a leg shield panel 106 of the body cover assembly 100. Such a construction enables detachable mounting and engagement between the body cover panel 102 and the leg shield panel 106, thereby easing the process and effort required for assembly and/or dismantling the leg shield panel 106 and/or the body cover panel 102 from the frame member during a maintenance event. Such a construction also enables a user to individually assemble and/or disassemble the leg shield panel 106 and the body cover panel 102 from the frame member. As such, requirement of removing both the leg shield panel 106 and the body cover panel 102 is mitigated.
[028] Referring to Figure 3 in conjunction with Figures 1 and 2, an enlarged view of the front portion 102a of the body cover panel 102 is depicted. The mounting portion 110 comprises one or more guideways 114 extending rearwardly in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The one or more guideways 114 comprises a top guideway 114a and a bottom guideway 114b. The bottom guideway 114b is positioned parallelly below the top guideway 114a along the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. The top guideway 114a and the bottom guideway 114a are provided such that a recess 124 is formed on the front portion 102a of the body cover panel 102. The recess 124 ensures that flush configuration upon mounting of the leg shield panel 106 with the body cover panel 102. Also, the recess 124 acts as a track so that the leg shield panel 106 slides onto the one or more guideways 114 and engages on to the mounting portion 110. Such a construction improves fit and finish of the body cover assembly 100 on the vehicle.
[029] Further, the mounting portion 110 comprises one or more rib members 116. The one or more rib members 116 are adapted to engage with the leg shield panel 106 for facilitating interlocking between the leg shield panel 106 and the body cover panel 102. The one or more rib members 116 extend along the top-bottom direction between the top guideway 114a and the bottom guideway 114b. In the present embodiment, the one or more rib members 116 are inclined about the top-bottom direction between the top guideway 114a and the bottom guideway 114b. The one or more rib members 116 enhances structural rigidity of the mounting portion 110 of the body cover panel 102.
[030] In an embodiment, the one or more rib members 116 comprises a first rib member 116a and a second rib member 116b. The first rib member 116a and the second rib member 116b are spaced apart from one another, based on interlocking requirements with the leg shield panel 106. In an embodiment, dimensions of the one or more rib members 116 are considered based on strength and mounting requirements with the leg shield panel 106.
[031] Further, at a bottom surface 136 of the body cover panel 102, a mounting member 122 is provided. The mounting member 122 is adapted to receive and support a footrest member (not shown) of the vehicle. As such, the body cover panel 102 is also capable of supporting the footrest member of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the mounting member 122 is a rectangular profile provided on the bottom surface 136 for receiving and supporting the footrest member. The mounting member 122 is provided with one or more slots 138 for receiving and supporting the footrest member. In an embodiment, a pin member (not shown) from the footrest member is inserted into the one or more slots 138 and fastened, thereby mounting the footrest member onto the body cover panel 102. In an embodiment, the mounting member 122 is the rectangular profile that has been extruded or protruded from the bottom surface 136 of the body cover panel 102. Alternatively, the mounting member 122 may be mounted onto the body cover panel 102 for receiving and supporting the footrest member.
[032] Referring to Figure 4 in conjunction with Figures 1-3, the leg shield panel 106 of the body cover assembly 100 is depicted. The leg shield panel 106 extends rearwardly in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and is mounted to the front side of the vehicle. The leg shield panel 106 is adapted to interlock with the body cover panel 102. The leg shield panel 106 comprises a front mounting portion 126 that extends laterally or along the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. The front mounting portion 126 is adapted to engage at the front end of the frame member. On an interior surface (not shown) of the front mounting portion 126, one or more mounting units (not shown) are provided for engagement with the front end of the frame member. In an embodiment, the front mounting portion 126 is adapted to engage with the frame member through a front panel assembly (not shown). As such, the one or more mounting units engage with the front panel assembly for mounting the leg shield panel 106 onto the frame member. In an embodiment, the front mounting portion 126 is forwardly inclined upon mounting onto the frame member.
[033] Further, the front mounting portion 126 is provided with a support member 140 that is oriented about the front-rear direction of the vehicle and extends laterally inwardly into the vehicle (i.e. towards the frame member). The support member 140 is capable of supporting utility items such as a water bottle and the like of a rider of the vehicle. The support member 140 also acts as a footrest for the rider.
[034] A rear mounting portion 128 extends rearwardly along the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front mounting portion 126. The rear mounting portion 128 is adapted to engage with the mounting portion 110 of the body cover panel 102. As such, the leg shield panel 106 has the front mounting portion 126 which engages at the front end of the frame member and has the rear mounting portion 128 that engages with the body cover panel 102. To the rear mounting portion 128, an engagement portion 108 is provided. The engagement portion 108 is adapted to engage and interlock with the mounting portion 110, thereby ensuring mounting of the leg shield panel 106 with the body cover panel 102. The engagement portion 108 is provided on an inner mounting surface 132 of the rear mounting portion 128. As such, the inner mounting surface 132 engages with the mounting portion 110, thereby ensuring that mounting details is invisible from outside of the vehicle.
[035] Referring to Figure 5 in conjunction with the Figures 1-4, the engagement portion 108 of the leg shield panel 106 is depicted. The engagement portion 108 is provided on the inner mounting surface 132 of the rear mounting portion 128. The engagement portion 108 is provided with a peripheral wall 134. The peripheral wall 134 extends forwardly in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a rear end 108a upto a central section (not shown) of the rear mounting portion 128. Thereafter, the peripheral wall 134 extends laterally to a bottom end 108c of the engagement portion 108. The peripheral wall 134 defines a boundary of the engagement portion 108 on the rear mounting portion 128 of the leg shield panel 106. Also, the peripheral wall 134 ensures flush mounting with the one or more guideways 114 provided on the mounting portion 110 upon engagement.
[036] Further, the engagement portion 108 comprises one or more mounting lugs 112. The one or more mounting lugs 112 are adapted to engage with the one or more rib members 116 of the mounting portion 110, thereby facilitating interlocking between the leg shield panel 106 and the body cover panel 102. The one or more mounting lugs 112 are provided at strategic locations on the engagement portion 108 for ensuring stable mounting between the leg shield panel 106 and the body cover panel 102.
[037] In an embodiment, each of the one or more mounting lugs 112 are provided with a structure that is capable of engagement with the one or more rib members 116 of the mounting portion 110. In an embodiment, each of the one or more mounting lugs 112 are provided with a curved portion 120 for ease of engagement and locking with the one or more rib members 116. The curvature of the curved portion 120 is dependent on the mounting requirements between the one or more rib members 116 and the engagement portion 108. In an embodiment, the one or more mounting lugs 116 are capable of being snap-fitted onto the one or more rib members 116.
[038] In an embodiment, wherein the curved portion 120 of each of the one or more mounting lugs 112 is a curved lip that is adapted to engage with the one or more rib members 116. As such, upon slidable insertion of the engagement portion 108 into the mounting portion 110, the curved portion 120 of each of the one or more mounting lugs 112 interlocks with the one or more rib members 116. For dismantling, the curved portion 120 is disengaged from the one or more rib members 116 from inside the vehicle. In an embodiment, the curved portion 120 is pressed against from the one or more rib members 116 for disengagement. Upon disengagement of the curved portion 120 from the one or more rib members 116, the leg shield panel 106 is dismantled from the body cover panel 102.
[039] In an embodiment, the one or more mounting lugs 112 comprises a first mounting lug 112a, a second mounting lug 112b and a third mounting lug 112c. The first mounting lug 112a is disposed or positioned at the rear end 108a of the engagement portion. The second mounting lug 112b is disposed or positioned at a central portion 108b of the engagement portion, while the third mounting lug 112c is disposed or positioned on the bottom end 108c of the engagement portion 108. The first mounting lug 112a is adapted to engage with the first rib member 116a, while the second mounting lug 112b engages with the second rib member 116b. Further, the third mounting lug 112c is adapted to engage with a bottom slot 118 provided on the mounting portion 110 of the body cover panel 102 (as shown in Figure 6).
[040] In an embodiment, the first mounting lug 112a is snap-fitted with the first rib member 116a. The second mounting lug 112b is also snap-fitted with the second rib member 116b. Additionally, the third mounting lug 112c is also snap-fitted with the bottom slot 118 of the mounting portion 110.
[041] In an embodiment, each of the one or more mounting lugs 112 are provided with a rectangular structure for ease of manufacturing and a greater surface area availability for engagement with the one or more rib members 116. However, the shape and construction of the one or more mounting lugs 112 can be selected as per mounting requirements with the one or more rib members 116.
[042] In an embodiment, dimensions of the engagement portion 108 corresponds to the dimensions of the recess 124 provided between the top guideway 114a and the bottom guideway 114b for facilitating engagement between the leg shield panel 106 and the body cover panel 102.
[043] In an embodiment, each of the body cover panel 102 and the leg shield panel 106 is a plate like member, made by one of a metallic material, a plastic material or a composite material as per design feasibility and requirements.
[044] In an embodiment, during assembly, the rear mounting portion 128 is inserted into the front portion 102a such that, the engagement portion 108 is slidably inserted into the recess 124 provided in the mounting portion 110. Upon insertion, the first mounting lug 112a interlocks with the first rib member 116a, the second mounting lug 112b interlocks with the second rib member 116b and the third mounting lug 112c interlocks with the bottom slot 118. Upon interlocking, the rear mounting portion 128 engages with the mounting portion 110. Thus, the leg shield panel 106 interlocks with the body cover panel 102.
[045] In an embodiment, during dismantling, the curved portion 120 is disengaged from the one or more rib members 116 from inside the vehicle. In an embodiment, the curved portion 120 is pressed against from the one or more rib members 116 for disengagement. Upon disengagement of the curved portion 120 from the one or more rib members 116, the leg shield panel 106 is dismantled from the body cover panel 102.
[046] The claimed invention as disclosed above is not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed aspects enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the claimed aspect of providing the leg shield panel that interlocks with the body cover panel eases assembly of the body cover assembly, while reducing the number of fasteners required for fastening the body cover assembly onto the vehicle. Consequently, the part count in the vehicle is reduced. Also, the one or more rib members enhances durability of the body cover assembly. Additionally, due to mitigation of the fasteners for fastening the leg shield panel and the body cover panel, chipping off of paint is prevented, thereby improving aesthetic appeal of the vehicle in the long run or in a prolonged period of time. Further, the requirement of special tools for fastening the leg shield panel and the body cover panel onto the frame member is mitigated due to the sliding engagement of the one or more mounting lugs with the one or more rib members. Further, due to sliding engagement between the leg shield panel and the body cover panel, the user is capable of selectively dismantling either the leg shield panel or the body cover panel during a maintenance requirement. As such, requirement of removing both the leg shield panel and the body cover panel is mitigated due to the construction of the body cover assembly of the present invention. Further, the overall assembly time of the vehicle is also reduced.
[047] 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.

Reference Numerals and Characters
100 – Body cover assembly
102 – Body cover panel
102a – Front portion
102b – Rear portion
104 – Rear end of the saddle-type vehicle
106 – Leg shield panel
108 – Engagement portion
108a – Rear end of the engagement portion
108b – Central portion of the engagement portion
108c – Bottom end of the engagement portion
110 – Mounting portion
112 – One or more mounting lugs
112a – First mounting lug
112b – Second mounting lug
112c – Third mounting lug
114 – One or more guideways
114a – Top guideway
114b – Bottom guideway
116 – One or more rib members
116a – First rib member
116b - Second rib member
118 – Bottom slot
120 – Curved mouth
122 – Mounting member
124 – Recess
126 – Front mounting portion
128 – Rear mounting portion
130 – Body cover assembly mounted on right side of frame member
132 – inner mounting surface of the leg shield panel
134 – Peripheral wall
136 – Bottom surface
138 – One or more slots
140 – Support member , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A body cover assembly (100) for a saddle-type vehicle, the body cover assembly (100) comprising:
a body cover panel (102) disposed below a seat of the saddle-type vehicle, the body cover panel (102) extending from a front end of the seat to a rear end (104) of the saddle-type vehicle; and
a leg shield panel (106) mounted to a front side of the saddle-type vehicle, the leg shield panel (106) extending rearwardly in a front-rear direction of the saddle-type vehicle, the leg shield panel (106) comprising an engagement portion (108),
wherein the engagement portion (108) being adapted to interlock with a mounting portion (110) of the body cover panel (102), for mounting the leg shield panel (106) onto the body cover panel (102).

2. The body cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement portion (108) of the leg shield panel (106) being provided with one or more mounting lugs (112), the one or more mounting lugs (112) being adapted to interlock with the mounting portion (110) of the body cover panel (102).

3. The body cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one or more mounting lugs (112) comprises:
a first mounting lug (112a) disposed at a rear end (108a) of the engagement portion (108);
a second mounting lug (112b) disposed at a central portion (108b) of the engagement portion (108); and
a third mounting lug (112c) disposed on a bottom end (108c) of the engagement portion (108).

4. The body cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body cover panel (102) being a tapered member having a front portion (102a) and a rear portion (102b), the front portion (102a) being larger than the rear portion (102b).

5. The body cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the front portion (102a) of the body cover panel (102) extends downwardly in a top-down direction of the saddle-type vehicle, the mounting portion (110) being provided in the front portion (102a) of the body cover panel (102).

6. The body cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting portion (110) being provided with one or more guideways (114), wherein the one or more guideways (114) being adapted to slidably guide the engagement portion (108) onto the mounting portion (110) for interlocking the leg shield panel (106) with the body cover panel (102).

7. The body cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting portion (110) is provided with one or more rib members (116), the one or more rib members (116) being adapted to engage with the engagement portion (108) for interlocking the leg shield panel (106) with the body cover panel (102).

8. The body cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the body cover panel (102) being provided with a bottom slot (118), the bottom slot (118) being provided below the one or more ribs (116), wherein the bottom slot (118) being adapted to engage with the third mounting lug (112c) provided in the engagement portion (108) of the leg shield panel (106).

9. The body cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein one or more mounting lugs (112) in the engagement portion (108) of the leg shield panel (106) being adapted to engage with the one or more rib members (116).

10. The body cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the one or more mounting lugs (112) being provided with a curved mouth (120) for ease of engagement with the one or more rib members (116).

11. The body cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body cover panel (102) being provided with a mounting member (122), the mounting member (122) being provided on a bottom surface of the body cover panel (102), wherein the mounting member (122) being adapted to receive and support a footrest member.

12. A saddle-type vehicle, comprising:
a frame member; and
a body cover assembly (100) mounted onto the frame member; the body cover assembly (100) comprising:
a body cover panel (102) disposed below a seat, the body cover panel (102) extending from a front end of the seat to a rear end (104) of the saddle-type vehicle; and
a leg shield panel (106) mounted to a front side of the saddle-type vehicle, the leg shield panel (106) extending rearwardly in a front-rear direction of the saddle-type vehicle, the leg shield panel (106) comprising an engagement portion (108),
wherein the engagement portion (108) being adapted to interlock with a mounting portion (110) of the body cover panel (102), for mounting the leg shield panel (106) onto the body cover panel (102).

13. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the engagement portion (108) of the leg shield panel (106) being provided with one or more mounting lugs (112), the one or more mounting lugs (112) being adapted to interlock with the mounting portion (110) of the body cover panel (102).

14. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the one or more mounting lugs (112) comprises:
a first mounting lug (112a) disposed at a rear end (108a) of the engagement portion (108);
a second mounting lug (112b) disposed at a central portion (108b) of the engagement portion (108); and
a third mounting lug (112c) disposed on a bottom end (108c) of the engagement portion (108).

15. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the body cover panel (102) being a tapered member having a front portion (102a) and a rear portion (102b), the front portion (102a) being larger than the rear portion (102b).

16. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the front portion (102a) of the body cover panel (102) extends downwardly in a top-down direction of the saddle-type vehicle, the mounting portion (110) being provided in the front portion (102a) of the body cover panel (102).

17. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the mounting portion (110) being provided with one or more guideways (114), wherein the one or more guideways (114) being adapted to slidably guide the engagement portion (108) onto the mounting portion (110) for interlocking the leg shield panel (106) with the body cover panel (102).

18. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the mounting portion (110) is provided with one or more rib members (116), the one or more rib members (116) being adapted to engage with the engagement portion (108) for interlocking the leg shield panel (106) with the body cover panel (102).

19. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 18, wherein the body cover panel (102) being provided with a bottom slot (118), the bottom slot (118) being provided below the one or more ribs (116), wherein the bottom slot (118) being adapted to engage with the third mounting lug (112c) provided in the engagement portion (108) of the leg shield panel (106).

20. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 19, wherein one or more mounting lugs (112) in the engagement portion (108) of the leg shield panel (106) being adapted to engage with the one or more rib members (116).

21. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of the one or more mounting lugs (112) being provided with a curved mouth (120) for ease of engagement with the one or more rib members (116).

22. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the body cover panel (102) being provided with a mounting member (122), the mounting member (122) being provided on a bottom surface (136) of the body cover panel (102), wherein the mounting member (122) being adapted to receive and support a footrest member.